Financial Support

School Leaver

You will be able to apply for financial support once you have enrolled. Eligibility for this support is dependent on household income/certain benefits.

Have all relevant financial evidence ready to upload. To apply, please click here.

College Lunches

The funding eligibility for free school meals in high school and college is different. If you were entitled to free school meals in high school, it is likely you will be eligible for them in college, but you will need to apply through the financial support form. Eligible Students will receive £4 per day loaded onto their student ID badge.

Travel Support

When you apply for financial support, we will advise you whether you are entitled to a free bus pass, or whether you will need to purchase a subsidised pass. If you purchase a bus pass, and then we advise you that you are entitled to a free pass, we can refund you for the ticket you have purchased – you will then receive a free pass for the remaining terms.

For train travel, you should include a request for a travel grant on your financial support application. Depending on your annual household income, we can support between 75-100% of the costs.

What can I use financial support for?

If successful, you will be able to use your financial support for College approved items including trips, equipment, uniform, PPE, travel costs.

In Care, Care Leaver or Living Independently (16-18)

If you are classed as a ‘looked-after’ individual, a care leaver or are living independently whilst studying at sixth form level, you may be able to apply for an additional bursary to help cover any costs at College. To find out more, please contact a member of the Student Support team, or the Safeguarding team.

Our Student Services Team can help if you have any questions.

[email protected] | 01282 733373

Sixth form Students and Apprentices

Check out MyBC for the latest information!

Whatever route you are taking; A Levels, Vocational study, T Level or an Apprenticeship, you can apply for financial support.

Apprentices

Those who are Apprentices, and under the age of 19, can access free travel courtesy of Lancashire County Council’s Young People’s Transport Scheme. Contact a member of the Student Support team or visit Student Services to collect a form.

Trips and Equipment

We want to make sure that you have the best time at College. Many courses arrange incredible trips and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to be part of the experience. Financial support is available for trips and essential equipment for your course. You should apply for financial support access this funding, which is dependent on your household income.

Our Student Services Team can help if you have any questions.

[email protected] | 01282 733373

University students

Navigating the world of Student Finance while managing your work and family commitments can be daunting. We’re here to support you every step of the way to help you discover just how affordable University-level study is.

Fees apply to degree-level study, with the first year of a full degree programme costing £9,000. A Foundation Entry year is £6,000.

Whatever route you choose, we will work with you as an individual to ensure that you have access to the very best advice and guidance on accessing financial support that you might be eligible for, according to your personal circumstances.

Our specialist advisors are here to introduce you to Student Finance England and guide you as you apply for a Student Loan to fund your university studies and living expenses during this time. And don’t forget, you won’t have to pay back any of your Student Loan until you are earning more than £2,083 a month (before tax and other deductions).

For example, if you were earning £26,000 a year (£2,167 a month), you’d pay back £7.50 per month. (Figures correct at 1 August 2024)

For individualised finance and funding support, talk to us
[email protected]

BCUC Bursary

This bursary is unique to BCUC – every full time Student can apply for the BCUC Bursary, regardless of your household income.

The bursary is split across your years of study in January and June in the form of cash, credits and tech to support you on your study journey.

If you maintain 90% attendance and are up to date with your work, you could be awarded between £625 and £2,500 throughout your programme of study.

Income under £25,000 – up to £2,500 in support

£25,000 up to £30,000 – up to £1,250 in support

Over £30,000 or income unassessed – up to £625 in support

A typical package for an undergraduate whose household income is under £25,000 may look like this:

£1,500 cash
£500 laptop
£500 Campus Credits to spend on food, trips, stationery or facilities on site

Government Support and Grants

As an undergraduate you may also be eligible for: 

Income Support | Childcare Grant | Parents’ Learning Allowance | Adult Dependants’ Grant | Child Tax Credit | Disabled Students’ Allowance

Students Discounts

National Union of Students

As an undergraduate, you will be eligible to join the National Union of Students (NUS) and can receive exclusive discounts and offers with a TOTUM membership (small fee applies):

Supermarkets | Health and Fitness | Home and Garden | Finance | Beauty | Fashion | Travel | Sustainability | Eating Out | Entertainment | Music and Technology | Uni Essentials

 

Adult Learners - Funding and Finance Explained

There are different funding routes open to learners returning to study as Adults.

Don’t let worries over finance hold you back from achieving your career goals. Simply take a few seconds to fill in a quick enquiry form and one of our friendly advisors will be touch to explore all your finance options.

Dependent on your personal circumstances, you may be eligible:

GET IN TOUCH
For personalised advice on finance and funding

Local Flexibility Courses

You can learn skills which will support the local economy on a funded course.

Key Facts:

Free Courses for Jobs

Through the Government’s Skills for Life initiative, Burnley College is able to offer this free training to support the workforce of the future.

Key facts:

Advanced Learner Loans

An Advanced Learner Loan could fund your Level 3 or above qualification and help you achieve qualifications to progress to university-level study at Burnley College University Courses, gain promotion at work or launch a new career.

If you study an Access to Higher Education Diploma, Student Finance England will ‘write off’ your Advanced Learner Loan once you complete an eligible university-level course.

Key Facts:

To qualify for a loan, you must be:

Paying in Instalments

On longer courses we offer payment over three instalments. These are paid over a three-month period, giving you the flexibility to spread the cost.

Key Facts:

Instalment plans are for course fees over £150

Courses that are 15 weeks or more can be paid in instalments

The 2nd & 3rd payments are taken on the 15th of each month

Contact us for more info on eligible courses

As an Adult Learner returning to education you may be eligible for free College meals, support with transport, trips and equipment depending on your household income. If you are over the age of 20, you may also be eligible for support with childcare costs.

Adult Learning course fees can vary significantly according to your chosen programme; study method and personal circumstances.

We offer the option to pay in instalments on many courses.

If you are unemployed and in receipt of certain Government benefits, including Jobseekers’ Allowance, or are taking part in training as part of a Universal Credit claim, you may be eligible for funding.

Our advisors will also advise on your eligibility for an Advanced Learner Loan if you are studying for a qualifying Level 3 qualification which may be written off once you enrol for a degree programme.

*Eligibility criteria applies

Learners can be fully funded if they meet the residency eligibility criteria*, are aged 19 and over and earn below the earnings threshold (£25,000) or are unemployed.

*Residency eligibility criteria refers to locations of Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Rossendale (BB1/BB4/BB5/OL13) and Blackburn with Darwen.