Fees and Financial Support

Aged 16 to 18

You won’t need to pay any tuition or registration fees. There may be costs for equipment for your course, if so you will be advised of this at enrolment.

Aged 19 and over

If you are between 19 and 23 and are studying for your first Level 2 or 3 course then your fees are waived. If you are studying for an eligible Level 3 or 4 course you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. Otherwise tuition and exam fees may be payable – concessions are available for those on means tested benefits.

If you are unable to pay any of the fees you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Government Bursary Fund.

You may also be eligible also claim financial assistance towards childcare, travel, trips, equipment and materials, fees and exam costs. For more information call our Welfare team on 01256 306393.

Higher Education Loans may be available for our HNC, HND and Foundation Degree courses. Visit gov.uk/student-finance for more details.

*Applications for bursaries received after 18th September 2020 will be considered if funding remains*

What Financial Support is available?

There are several financial support packages available to help you come to college, based on your age, personal circumstances and level and type of course you are studying. We want you to make the most of your time here and achieve your full potential. The Welfare Team can help you with:

• Travel pass(es)

• Free college meals (if you qualify)

• Essential kit and equipment for your course (if you qualify)

• Childcare support

• 16-18 Discretionary Bursary and Guaranteed Bursary

• 19 + Discretionary Bursary (Advanced Learner Loan)

• 19+ Discretionary Bursary (hardship)

• Essential trips for course (if you qualify and if there are sufficient funds available)

How do I apply for Financial Support?

For 2020/21 we are introducing an online application process called Pay my Student.

For more information please contact either Julie Paige or Lindia Wake.

• You cannot apply for Financial Support until you have enrolled and have a student number.

• You will need your own bank account

• You will need to consult the evidence required leaflet and upload your supporting evidence you will need prior to application.

The entire application form is MOBILE compatible and uploading evidence can be much quicker using a mobile device’s camera or gallery (if you already have images of your evidence) so you may wish to apply using a mobile phone or tablet.

If you need help with the application process or are unable to complete this application process online then contact the Student Experience Team (Welfare) welfare@bcot.ac.uk

Contact Details

Julie Paige (Senior Welfare Advisor)

Julie.paige@bcot.ac.uk

01256 306393

Linda Wake (Welfare advisor)

linda.wake@bcot.ac.uk

01256 306608

Links to Bursary Leaflets:

16-18 Discretionary Bursary Leaflet

19+ Advanced Learner Loan Discretionary Bursary Leaflet

19+ Discretionary Bursary (Hardship) Leaflet

Financial support Essential evidence

Financial Support Free College Meals

Financial Support Childcare

Subsidized Travel Support Non Bursary Students

An Advanced Learner Loan is a great way of covering the cost of your course. It’s not dependent on your income and you won’t need credit checks to apply. You can also apply for more than one loan if you are studying more than one course.* Repayment of your loan will not begin until you’ve finished your course and you’re earning over £25,725 a year.

You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan if you are:

• Aged 19 or over on the first day of the course.
• Studying an eligible course at Level 3 to Level 6.
• A resident of the UK and have been for the past three years.

*Please note you can only apply once for an Access to Higher Education course.

Higher Education Loans may be available for our HNC, HND and Foundation Degree courses. Visit gov.uk/student-finance for more details.

If you have not achieved any Level 2 or 3 qualifications previously, you may be eligible for a government subsidy.

If you are receiving state benefits or your annual gross salary is less than £17,004.00, you may be entitled to reduced fees for your course.

Our GCSE English and Maths courses are free unless you already hold a Grade C/4 in English or Maths and wish to improve your grade. A fee of £400 will be payable.