Financial Support
South Hampshire College Group (SHCG) is committed to ensuring education is accessible and affordable for all. No matter what you’re studying, we are here to help you find out what financial support you’re entitled to.
The information below on the financial support available is correct for the academic year 2026-2027.
If you need support with bursary, please reach out to the Student Financial Support team at [email protected]
Please note that all bursary applications must be completed online before we can assess your eligibility for support.
Applications for 2026-2027 Bursary will open Monday 3 August.
Need help with the cost of studying? You may be able to access financial support through our bursary schemes for both young people and adult learners. Check your eligibility below and read our Student Support Fund Policy for full terms.
16-19 Discretionary Student Support Fund
This fund is designed to provide financial support for full-time and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulty. All applications are considered individually, and funding will only be granted where a genuine need for financial assistance has been demonstrated and the criteria have been met. The Discretionary Fund is specifically designed to meet certain priority groups, such as:
- Households with an annual income of £37,000 or under and there is a proven need for financial assistance
- Young carer for adult or child relative
- Young people that have suffered parental bereavement
- Students that have a significant diagnosed mental health condition
- Young parent under 20 (childcare is funded via Care to Learn gov.uk/care-to-learn)
SHCG cannot offer cash payments but may be able to support with the costs of college-related items such as travel, essential equipment, books, uniform and educational visits/trips.
Eligibility
- Aged 16, 17 or 18 at the start of your course. (Students aged 19 or over are only eligible to receive discretionary funding if they are continuing on a study programme they began aged 16 to 18 or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
- Studying a ‘funded’ course at one of the SHCG campuses. (Students studying Apprenticeships or Higher Education courses are not eligible).
- UK resident or meet sufficient residency criteria.
Please note:
- We cannot assess your application if you do not provide proof of income.
- The Discretionary Fund is a limited amount and once it has been fully allocated to students, no further funding will be available.
- In cases of travel, distance of travel will be considered and a financial contribution may be required. Support is limited to term time/time-tabled days only. (See Student Support Fund Policy).
To be considered for financial support, please apply as early as possible. Eligibility is assessed from the date of application, and we are unable to provide retrospective funding or backdated payments for costs incurred before applying.
16-19 Vulnerable Student Support Fund
This fund has been established by the Government to support any student whose financial situation acts as a barrier to participation in courses. The Vulnerable Student Support Fund may provide funding for transport, essential kits/uniform, course material, equipment and essential educational visits.
Support is awarded based on individual financial need and participation costs. There is no automatic entitlement to funding or lump-sum payment of £1,200. Continued support may be reviewed where attendance, engagement or conduct causes concern.
We will always consider individual circumstances before making decisions about financial support.
To be eligible to apply to this fund you must meet at least one of the following criteria.
You must be:
- A young person who is in care or a recent Care Leaver (Local Authority confirmation will be required, and a statement confirming the support is required)
- A young person claiming Universal Credit in your own name because you are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone is dependent on you and living with you.
- A young person receiving Universal Credit in their own right and who has also been assessed as having limited capability for work and is receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
*Funding is not guaranteed and is awarded based on an assessment of individual financial need and participation costs. There is no automatic entitlement to a £1,200 award. Instead, the College provides support with approved costs such as travel, equipment, uniforms and other essential course-related expenses.
The level of support awarded will be based on the student’s assessed financial and participation needs. Students on programmes of less than 30 weeks, or who enrol after the planned start date, may receive a reduced award to reflect the shorter period of study.
Please note:
- We cannot assess your application if you do not provide proof of income.
- The Vulnerable Student Support Fund is a limited amount and once it has been fully allocated to students, no further funding will be available.
- In cases of travel, distance of travel will be considered and a financial contribution may be required. Support is limited to term time and for timetabled days only. (See Student Support Fund Policy).
- Eligibility is assessed from the date of application, and we are unable to provide retrospective funding or backdated payments for costs incurred before applying.
19 + Discretionary Student Support Fund
The 19+ Discretionary Student Support Fund provides financial support to eligible adult learners facing financial hardship. Assistance may be available for essential study-related costs, including travel, equipment, books and childcare for students aged 20 and over. All applications are assessed individually, and support is awarded based on financial need and available funding.
- For individuals entitled to a fully funded qualification, you may be entitled to full financial support on course related costs.
- For individuals entitled to a co-funded qualification, with a household income of £37,000 or less, you may be entitled to up to financial support of up to 50% of course related costs
- For all individuals accessing either full or co-funding, with a household income of £37,000 or less, you may be entitled to financial support to cover the cost of childcare while studying (for students aged 20 and over)
To be eligible to apply to this fund you must be:
- Aged 19 or over at the start of your course
- Studying a ‘funded’ FE course at one of our SHCG Campuses. (Students studying Apprenticeships or Higher Education courses are not eligible)
- UK resident or meet sufficient residency criteria
Please note:
- We cannot assess your application if you do not provide proof of income.
- The 19+ Discretionary Student Support Fund is a limited amount and once it has been fully allocated to students, no further funding will be available.
- In cases of travel, distance of travel will be considered and a financial contribution may be required. Support is limited to term time and for timetabled days only. (See Student Support Fund Policy).
- Eligibility is assessed from the date of application, and we are unable to provide retrospective funding or backdated payments for costs incurred before applying.
19+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary (ALLB)
Students who wish to study for a Level 3 qualification and are 19+ at the start of their course can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from the government (Advanced Learner Loan), which will cover the tuition costs of their study programme. The Bursary is designed only to support students aged 19+ who have taken out an Advanced Learner Loan and face financial barriers to participation.
This fund can help pay for support such as travel, course materials/equipment, childcare, and/or classroom assistance for a disability or learning difficulty, or for accommodation (if a student needs to live away from home for their course).
To be eligible to apply to this fund, you must be:
- Aged 19 or over at the start of your course
- Studying a Level 3 or 4 course at one of our SHCG Campuses
- Have had a 19 + Advanced Learning Loan approved by the Student Loans Company
And be in receipt of at least one of the benefits below;
- Job Seekers Allowance (where there is an income-based payment)
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit (not solely Tax credit)
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit (not solely child tax element and total household income must not exceed £37,000 per annum which must include any universal credit payments, wages and benefits received)
Eligibility is assessed from the date of application, and we are unable to provide retrospective funding or backdated payments for costs incurred before applying.
Free Student Meals
A student must be aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2026 to be eligible to receive a free meal. Students aged 19 please see below Free Student Meals (Adult Learners)
Support may only be offered once a successful application has been made.
Eligibility Criteria
Free meals are available to students who meet the government’s eligibility criteria. In further education, this is based on whether the student or their parent/carer receives one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
A student is only eligible to receive a free meal when they, or a responsible adult on their behalf, have made a successful application to the college they are enrolled at.
Households in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee element of Pension Credit may also be entitled to a meal.
Free Student Meals are only available for each day the student is timetabled and expected to attend their study programme (as appropriate)
The following groups of students are not eligible for free meals in colleges:
- Students aged between 14 and 16 (these students are already covered by free student meal provision)
- Students aged 19 or over at the start of their study programme unless they have an EHC plan or are a 19+ continuer
- Apprentices, including those with an EHC plan
To apply for free student meals, please use the links below.
Free Student Meals (Adult students)
Students aged 19 or over are only eligible to receive a free meal if they either:
- Are continuing on a study programme they began aged 16 to 18 (‘19+ continuers’)
- Have an EHC plan
These two groups of aged 19 or over students can receive a free meal while they continue to attend education (in the case of a 19+ continuer, this must be the same programme they started before they turned 19).
The following groups of students are not eligible for free meals in FE:
- students aged 19 or over at the start of their study programme unless they have an EHC plan or are a 19+ continuer
- apprentices, including those with an EHC plan
Free Student Meals are only available for each day the student is timetabled and expected to attend their study programme (as appropriate)
Childcare Support
If you are under 20 at the start of your course, you may be eligible for help with childcare costs while you study. The childcare provider must be registered with Ofsted.
You may also receive support for additional travel expenses incurred when taking your child to and from the childcare provider.
To apply, you’ll need to provide evidence of your parental status, such as a copy of your child’s birth certificate or proof of Child Benefit.
If you are aged 20 or over at the start of your course, you may be eligible to apply for childcare support through the College.
Support is based on several eligibility criteria, including:
- Your household income must be below £37,000
- The childcare provider must be Ofsted-registered
To apply, you will need to provide evidence of your parental status, such as a copy of your child’s birth certificate or proof of Child Benefit.
Payment Methods
We offer a variety of payment methods for students to pay their fees:
Online Payment Service: Pay securely visit our payment portal.
Credit or Debit Card: Accepting all major cards via the online payment portal
Payment Plans
For courses lasting over 12 weeks with fees exceeding £500, we offer an instalment plan.
A £250 deposit is required before the plan can be set up. Instalments can be spread over a maximum of 8 payments, with the final payment due two months before the course ends.
Please note: some short courses may be excluded from this option. If the instalment plan is not followed, the College reserves the right to refuse future instalment arrangements.
Employer Funded Learning
If your employer is covering your fees, you will need to provide an Employer’s Authorisation Form or a letter from your employer confirming their commitment to pay. An invoice will be issued directly to the employer.
Unemployed or on benefits?
If you are aged 19+ and in receipt of active benefits (e.g. Job Seeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Universal Credit) and studying below level 3 you may be eligible for free or discounted study depending on your selected course.
For more information on course funding please visit our course fees page.
Loans for Adult Learners
There are loans available to help support adults with the costs of studying Further and Higher Education courses at South Hampshire College Group. These are described below.
Advanced Learner Loan
If you’re aged 19 or over and want to study Access to Higher Education or a Level 3 or above Vocational Qualification, you’ll need to pay for the cost of your course. To help finance the course you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan.
It’s easy to apply for. Household income isn’t taken into account and there’s no credit check. Importantly, you won’t have to pay anything back until you’re earning over £25,000 a year.
Good news for Access to HE courses
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.
When to apply
You can apply for courses starting between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026. Complete and submit your Advanced Learner Loan application as soon as possible to ensure your loan is in place for the start of your course. Please note: you will not be able to apply until you have received a course offer and a Learning and Funding Information letter from the College.
How to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan
- Step 1 Identify whether your chosen course is eligible for a 19+ Advanced Learner Loan. This would be shown in the “Dates, times & fees section of the course information page on our website
- Step 2 An email will be send out confirming the offer of a place with a link to apply for a Advanced Learner Loan including a Learning and Funding Information Letter which will include the information required to apply for a loan
- Step 3 Further to confirmation of the offer of a place a enrolment link will be sent by the College which must be completed and returned to book your place on the course
- Step 4 Upon completion of the enrolment link and your loan application from the Student Loans Company you will be able to start your course
Higher Education Loans
You may be able to borrow money to help pay for your college tuition fees and to help with living costs. Additional support may be available if you have a low income, are disabled, or have children.
Student Finance England (SFE) can provide loans and grants for students studying their first degree or other higher education courses. Tuition fees are paid directly to the college by the Student Loans Company (SLC)
You can apply for student loans and other student finance in the spring before the start of your course. Don’t wait until you get an offer or receive your exam results – apply as soon as you can!
Tuition Fee Loan & Maintenance Loan for Living Costs
To assist you with your tuition fees you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan (non-income assessed) and a Maintenance Loan for your accommodation and living costs whilst you are studying.
With a student loan, there are no up-front tuition fees and you will only start to repay the loan after you finish the course and are earning above a certain income. Terms and conditions apply. The amount you pay is dependent on your salary, not the size of your loan and will be deducted from your salary by your employer in the same way they deduct tax.