19+ Bursary
19+ Bursary Criteria 2023/2024
You could help get funding for your college course if you are 19 years old or over and fulfil other criteria.
Learners eligible to apply to the fund:
To be eligible to receive a bursary the learner must be aged over 19 of age on 31 August 2023, be enrolled on a full-time or part-time course at Petroc and meet one of the following criteria:
(1) In receipt of one of the means-tested benefits listed below (or be a dependent partner of a person receiving one of the benefits below and included in that benefit award).
- Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit
- Income Support
- Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based)
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- Universal Credit (subject to status)
- Working Tax Credit (with an annual income for the previous year showing on the award of under £16,190.00)
 (2) On a low income. A low income is defined as:
- Single learners with a gross annual income of no more than £25,000
- Lone parents or couples with a gross annual income of no more than £35,000 (plus an additional £2,000 for each dependent child aged under 19 and in full-time education)
(3) For help with course fees only
- A household income of no more than £60,000 (plus an additional £2,000 for each dependent child aged under 19 and in full-time education).
Note: when calculating gross annual income ignore any Disability Living Allowance. All other income is taken into account (for both the student and their partner if applicable) including the following types of income:
Earnings and any other taxable income:Â For self-employed learners or their dependents, the gross earnings will be calculated from audited accounts and any essential business expenses will be deducted.
Learners not eligible:
There are certain categories of learners that are not able to claim student support funds. These are:
- Learners who are considered to be an Overseas Learner
- Learners on a Higher Education course
- Apprenticeship learners
- Learners on a recreational programme or non-Government funded courses
- Learners who have not been granted an Advanced Learner Loan
- Learners with approved Advanced Learner Loan as you can apply for the advanced learner loan bursary
Important
The Learner Support Fund is a finite amount of money and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications will be means-tested against the criteria above and a decision on entitlement will not be made until we have received a fully completed form and supporting evidence of benefits/income. Part of the decision-making process will be to ensure that there are remaining funds to allocate.Â
Support available for eligible learners
The Learner Support Fund will cover 100% of the fees.
The Learner Support Fund will cover 100% of the fees.Â
Learners can apply for help with a bus pass or a contribution towards fuel costs.
The cost of a bus pass will be covered for adult Learners who live more than three miles from college. Please contact the Advice and Guidance Centre to apply for a Bus Pass.
For adult learners who live more than three miles from college, a contribution of £1000 (pro-rata) can be made towards the cost of fuel for learners who wish to drive into college. This will be made in two allocations, one in the Autumn Term and one in the Spring Term.
Transport costs for learners with disabilities who cannot access public transport can be applied for up to a maximum of £1000.
The course tutor must supply the Advice and Guidance Centre at Barnstaple or Tiverton with a detailed breakdown of equipment and general course costs. Under these circumstances, support can be given up to 100% of the *full cost of equipment once it has been established that the student has at least met the attendance criteria as laid out by the Attendance and Punctuality Policy.
Â
* In some cases the full cost of equipment may be capped
A meal up to the value of £3.50 can be obtained from the college food outlets for each day attending college. Eligible learners will use their learner ID card to access this.
There is no ceiling in this category but an assessment will be made based on individual needs. Any equipment purchased under this category will be for the exclusive use of the student during their time at college. On completion of the course, the equipment will remain with the college.
80% of the cost of trips organised as part of the student’s programme can be covered up to a maximum of £100 in total.
The learner is required to provide evidence of the trip to the Advice and Guidance Centre once they have paid their deposit.
80% of the cost of a residential organised as part of the student’s programme can be covered up to a maximum of £500 in total.
The learner is required to provide evidence of the trip to the Advice and Guidance Centre once they have paid their deposit.
The maximum childcare support is £300 per week.
Learners will be required to pay a 10% contribution towards the cost of the childcare.
Childcare support can be used to support the costs of any form of formal registered childcare. This includes nursery, crèche, and childminder or out of school hours place.
Childcare costs cannot be paid to people who are not registered e.g. to friends or relatives.
All childcare costs will be paid to the registered person/organisation.
Childcare payments will normally only be made during term time, to cover sessions when the student is attending their course.
Learners who are in need of additional funds to support their attendance at college may be able to access help via discretionary payments. This is part of the Bursary fund.The Learner Support Team can discuss and authorise to assist learners to meet their immediate needs. If you require their assistance or wish to discuss your requirements please contact the Advice & Guidance Centre.
Requirements
All Learner Support funds are given on the understanding that a student:
- Has met the attendance criteria as laid out by the Attendance and Punctuality Policy and
- Is making good progress and
- Completes the course and
- There are funds available
If any of the above criteria is not met, the student will be liable to pay back any awards made to them from the Learner Support Fund.
All allocations are made subject to funds being available; as this is a finite fund there may be occasions when applications are reduced to allow fair allocations of the funds.
Appeals Procedure
Learners have the right to appeal against any decision made in connection with their Learner Support Fund application.
Learners wishing to appeal should put the details of their concern in writing and send it to guidancecentre@petroc.ac.uk. The appeals panel will be convened within five working days from the following personnel: The Tutorial Enrichment and Tutorial Manager who was not directly involved in the original decision-making process. The result of this appeal will be given in writing within 10 working days of the receipt of the learner's appeal.
Need further assistance?
Please get in touch with the Advice & Guidance Centre:
