Applications for 2021-22 are now closed. Applications for 2022/23 will be opening soon. To be notified when available, please email your full name, date of birth and your 6 digit applicant number to financial.support@windsor-forest.ac.uk or call 01753 793368 and we will notify you once open.
Financial Support
Childcare
If you’re aged 16-19 and need help with childcare costs, call the Department for Education & Skills’ Care to Learn team on 0800 121 8989
Free College Meals
Some students may be eligible for Free College Meals. Free College Meals allow students to collect a meal deal from the Canteen free of charge for each day they are in college. This is only available from 11:30am-1:30pm.
Free College Meals are only available to some students receiving a bursary. There is specific criteria that a student must meet in order to receive this. The student, or their live-in guardian, must be in receipt of one of the below benefits and aged 16-18 on the 31st August 2021:
Students can also receive Free College Meals if they are aged 16-24 on the 31st of August 2021 and have an Education Health Care Plan (which must have been sent to the Colleges Group by the Local authority).
You can apply for Free College Meals by applying for the bursary. You will be assessed for this, as well as travel and material costs, after you complete a valid Financial Support Application form.
See ‘How to Apply’ at the top of the page.
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (providing you/your parent are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190 as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
- Universal Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £7,400 as assessed by the Department of Work and Pensions
Travel Subsidies
16-17 Saver card is available to everyone aged 16 & 17 from National Rail. This card gets you 50% off most rail fares every day of the year with no time restrictions and no minimum fare. The 16-17 Saver is valid for one year or until your 18th birthday, whichever comes first. To purchase this card, just visit: www.16-17saver.co.uk
If you are eligible for the bursary, Financial Support can refund you the cost of the card (£30) following proof of your purchase.
The College also offers its own Reduced Fare Card for First Bus. Students aged 16-18 (on the 31 August 2019) can purchase the card for just £30 per term.
The Reduced Fare Card will entitle you to pay the child fare on First Bus routes (including the Green Line London coach service).
This may be provided free of charge to those receiving a bursary providing this is the most cost effective way to support your transport costs.
Students living and travelling within one of the administrative boroughs/districts of Surrey, can also purchase an annual Surrey Fare Card for both/either bus and rail travel. For more information, please go to: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/transport/16-plus
Students must be enrolled in order to have their travel card released.
Aged 19 or over?
You may be eligible for a 19+ Bursary if you are:
- Aged 19-23 and studying at level 2 or below, or for your first level 3 qualification
- Aged 24+ studying at level 2 or below
You can apply for help with the costs of travel and essential materials if your household income is below £30,000 per annum.
You may also be able to access funding for childcare costs if you are aged 20+ and have a household income of below £30,000 per annum.
To apply, see the information at the top of the page.
Advanced Learner Bursary
If you hold an approved Advanced Learner Loan (see below) you may be eligible for a small contribution towards your college costs, including childcare. You will qualify if your household income is below £30,000 per annum. To apply, please download the application form on this page.
Advanced Learner Loans
An Advanced Learner Loan can help cover the costs of studying for a Level 3 qualification or above. This loan can cover all of the upfront fees for your course and will be paid directly to the College on your behalf. Advanced Learner Loans are not means tested or credit checked, so most people will be able to access them. You will only start to repay the loan once you finish, or leave, the course and are earning more than £25,725 per year.
What’s more if you undertake an Access to HE course and go on to complete a degree, the loan for the Access course is completely written off.
Please note that loans are provided by the Student Loans Company. If you decide to apply for and use a loan to pay your fees, you must ensure you have an approved loan in place prior to the start of your course. You can find out more about using a loan and apply online at www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.
Tuition Fee Loans for Higher Education (19+ students)
Students can apply for Tuition Fee Loans to cover the cost of tuition fees for HNCs, HNDs or Foundation Degrees. The Tuition Fee Loan is not means tested and there is no upper age limit for applying. Repayments only start when you complete or leave the course and are earning over £25,725 per year.
Please note that loans are provided by the Student Loans Company. If you decide to apply for and use a loan to pay your fees, you must ensure you have an approved loan in place prior to the start of your course. You can find out more about using a loan and apply online at www.gov.uk/student-finance.
Advice about free courses
Please contact the Admissions Team to check your eligibility for free courses, please contact us on 01753 367027 or email admission@windsor-forest.ac.uk, ask at your interview, or drop into one of our colleges from Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm.
To read more about the financial support available and eligibility criteria, please click on the link below:
Financial Support Statement 2021/22
*Please note that financial support arrangements may change for each academic year. The information on this webpage and the documents it links to applies to the current 2021/22 academic year.
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