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Financial Support

There are a number of options available to you if you need financial support during your time at college. Whether it’s for travel, childcare, free college meals, course materials or trips and visits, we have an option that you might be eligible for.

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Financial Support Applications

If you believe you might be eligible for a bursary, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Bursaries can help manage the costs associated with your education, and we don’t want you to miss out on potential financial support.

Our college offers support to students with a household income below £35,000 (including all benefits) or in receipt of Universal Credit, as well as those who are looked after or care leavers. This support can include assistance with travel costs, travel passes, childcare costs, and in some cases, compulsory material and trip costs. Additionally, eligible students may receive free meals. 

Please note that when completing your application, you must provide the required evidence as stated on the application, failure to do some could delay your application.

If you have any issues when applying or you have any questions, our team at BCA can be contacted at 01753 793368 or by email  financialsupport.bca@windsor-forest.ac.uk

During the summer holidays, there may be a slight delay with responses, but we will endeavour to respond to everyone in a timely manner.

To begin please visit https://windsor-forest.paymystudent.com/portal/

New applicants should first register, returning students should be able to click “log in with your student account”.

How to apply

    • The Bursary team will also be available during the enrolment period from 23rd August 2024, so can assist you when you come into college to complete your enrolment. Please visit the Bursary department during enrolment with your supporting documents and we will be able to help process your application.

What we need

  • ALL PAGES of your household’s Tax Credit award notice (TC602) dated 2023/2024.
  • THREE most recent Universal Credit statements each showing the net monthly earnings/take-home pay (e.g. if applying in July 2024 the three most recent statements will be April, May, and June 2024).
  • An income assessed benefit letter dated within the past three months indicating the benefit payment. For example; Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support and Employment and Support Allowance. Income assessed benefits do not include; Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Child Benefit and Carers Allowance.
  • For self-employment; an accountant’s letter stating projected earnings for 2024-25 OR all pages of your HMRC SA302 certificate for the tax year ending 5 April 2024.
  • If not eligible for one of the above you must provide a Council Tax Bill (or Tenancy Agreement) AND three months’ wage slips AND a recent P60 for each adult in the household.
  • Please supply any other relevant information regarding your income in the last twelve months, including furlough payments, exceptional benefits, redundancy payments, Business Support Grants etc. We may need to speak to you or ask for more information to complete the assessment.

Types of support

BursaryWhat is this?Who is Eligible?
BCA Travel Bursary


16-19 Discretionary Bursary Fund 2026-27:		A travel pass enabling students to travel to and from BCA on private, sub-contracted coaches or BCA minibuses.

Apply within your online enrolment account.		– Aged 16 or over but under 19 at 31 August 2026.

– Aged 19 or over are only eligible to receive a discretionary bursary if they are continuing on a study programme they began aged 16 to 18 (‘19+ continuers’) or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Gross household income (before tax) must be less than £35,000 per year. This includes all sources of income such as salaries, pensions, tax credits, housing benefits, universal credit etc.

NOT receiving help for travel from any other source (eg local council/authority)
Free College MealsThe Government provides a daily meal allowance of £2.41 for each college student meeting their criteria. For the current year, BCA has topped this up to provide a daily allowance of £3.50 for each day the student is in college or remote working.

– 16 – 19 years of age on 31 August 2026

– On a full-time BCA further education course (16 hours per week or more)

– In receipt of one of the following benefits: Income Support, Income-Based Job-Seekers Allowance, Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), support under part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, the guarantee element of Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of £16,190 or less as assessed by HMRC), Working Tax Credit run-on, Universal Credit.

– BCA can apply for this benefit on the student’s behalf with the National Insurance Number and date of birth of the parent/carer.

– EHCP holder aged 19-25 years on 31 August 2026
Vulnerable Student BursaryThe vulnerable student bursary can pay up to £1,200 per year to a student participating on a study programme that lasts for 30 weeks or more if they need that amount of support. The bursary is available for covering the cost directly associated with studying.

The bursary is predominately used to cover annual travel passes, the direct purchase of books, uniform and equipment needed for the course, and meal vouchers. Where applicable, we will make weekly payments directly into the students own bank account to cover food costs whilst on site at college. These payments are based on a student’s behaviour, attendance and conduct.

Further information can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund/eligibility

Apply within your online enrolment account.		– 16-19 years of age on 31 August 2026

– Enrolled on a full-time BCA further education course (16 hours per week or more)

– In care

– Care leavers

– Receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner

– Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right

19-23 Bursary FundA travel pass enabling students to travel to and from BCA on private, sub-contracted coaches or BCA minibuses.

BCA may also be able to contribute towards uniform costs.

Apply within your online enrolment account.		– Aged between 19-23 at 31 August 2026.

Gross household income (before tax) must be less than £35,000 per year. This includes all sources of income such as salaries, pensions, tax credits, housing benefits, universal credit etc.

NOT receiving help for travel from any other source (eg local council/authority)
19+ Advanced Learner LoanIf you are studying on a full-time Level 3 or 4 programme or apprenticeship, you are eligible to apply for a loan to help you pay your tuition fees. These loans are not means-tested or subject to credit checks, and you start repaying the loan when you earn over £1,682 per month.

Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it. The higher education course must be eligible for student finance.

For more information regarding eligibility criteria, please visit www.gov.uk/advanced-learning-loans

Apply within your online enrolment account.		– Aged between 19-23

– This is your first full Level 3 or Level 4 qualification or apprenticeship
Care to LearnIf you are a full-time student aged 19 years or under as of the 31 August 2026 and have a young child, you can apply for Care to Learn to assist with your childcare costs.

For more information, or to apply, please visit the Care to Learn website or call their helpline on 0845 600 28096		– Aged 19 or under as of 31st August 2026

– Have a young child