You can now apply for bursary funding for 2026/27!
Who can Apply?
Support is available for both full-time and part-time eligible students on accredited courses at HCFE.
The following students are not eligible for 16-19 bursary funding
- Students enrolled on higher education (HE) courses.
- Students on apprenticeship programmes, or any waged training.
A student must be aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2026 to be eligible for help from the Bursary Fund in 26/27, except for the following exceptions:
- Students aged 19 or over are eligible to receive a bursary if they are continuing on a study programme they started aged 16 to 18 (19+ continuers) or have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
What is a Bursary? & Application Process
A bursary is financial help towards essential costs of participating such as travel to and from college, meals in college, or to buy essential books, equipment, or specialist clothing that are required for courses.
There are 3 16-19 bursaries available for students at HCFE:
- 16-19 First Priority Bursary
- 16-19 Free Meals (FSM)
- 16-19 Discretionary Bursary
How long will the application take to be processed?
Once the online application form has been submitted, we will contact the student or parent/carer for income/benefit evidence by email and then complete a full assessment of eligibility and financial need. We’ll then inform the students if they are approved for any of these bursaries and a confirmation letter will be emailed to those approved for support.
How to Apply?
Please click the below graphic which will take you to our online application form. Once you have completed the form, we'll do an assessment and let you know if we require further evidence from you.
What can I apply for and how long will it take to be assessed?
There are three 16-19 bursaries available:
- 16-19 First Priority Bursary
- 16-19 Free Meals (FSM)
- 16-19 Discretionary Bursary
Once your application has been assessed, we will let you know if you are approved for any of these bursaries.
Once approved, the support you receive depends on the costs you have and what you need for your course. This will normally be in-kind support (bus pass, free meals, essential equipment).
This funding is not guaranteed; we will assess your actual financial need and amount of support required.
We encourage students to apply as early as possible. During busy periods applications may take up to 4 weeks to be assessed. Once you have submitted your application form you will be contacted by email if any further evidence is required. If approved, you will be emailed an approval letter confirming the support you are eligible for.
Available Support
First Priority Bursary
The First Priority Bursary provides funding to help the most vulnerable young people cover essential education costs like transport, equipment, books, and meals.
Who will qualify?
You may be able to get a First Priority Bursary (up to £1200.00 funding per year) if you are:
- in care
- a care leaver
- receiving Income Support (IS), or Universal Credit (UC) because you are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and living with you, such as a child or partner
- receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in your own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in your own right.
- Once approved, the support you receive depends on the costs you have and what you need for your course. This will normally be in-kind support (bus pass, free meals, essential equipment).
- This funding is not guaranteed, and we will assess your actual financial need and amount of support required. If your course is shorter, you study part time, or have few expenses, you’ll usually get less (pro-rata), or no bursary support.
Travel Costs
Household Income under £40k
Students living in a Hartlepool address over 1.5 miles from the college may be eligible for help with travel costs. If approved, students will normally be issued a Stagecoach Student Unirider bus pass which allows free travel (including weekends and half-term) across the whole North-East area for the 26/27 academic year.
Students living in an address 4+ miles from the college may be eligible for help with travel costs. Support provided will be determined by available public transport links.
Students travelling from areas where there are no direct public transport links within reasonable distance should contact us in student services to discuss bespoke travel options. In exceptional circumstances, on production of receipts at the beginning of each term, money may be paid into the student’s bank account for transport costs.
All travel bursaries awarded are subject to a maximum £25.00 weekly amount. Appeals for a higher travel amount will be sent to a Vice Principal for consideration.
Additional Travel Support
If you are unable to use public transport due to registered disabilities/health conditions, you may be eligible for further assistance. For more information, please contact us in student services.
Travel Costs – Outside Hartlepool - Household Income >£40k
Students who live outside Hartlepool with a household income above £40,000 are eligible for help with travel costs. For these higher income households, the support will be paid by the college itself, rather than 16-19 bursary funds.
Students travelling from areas where there are no direct public transport links within reasonable distance should contact student services at the college to discuss bespoke travel options. In exceptional circumstances, on production of termly receipts, money may be paid into the student’s bank account for transport costs (maximum £25.00 weekly amount). Appeals for higher travel amounts will be sent to a Vice Principal for consideration.
Free Meals
Students may be eligible for free meals (£6.00 per day pre-loaded onto student ID cards) in college if they or their parent/carer receives one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Students who qualify for the 16-19 Discretionary Bursary (see below) will also be entitled to receive £6.00 per day free meals in college.
16-19 Discretionary Bursary
What is it?
A bursary to help eligible students with the essential costs of attending college.
Who will qualify?
- Students living in a household with an annual income below £40,000.
- Decisions about awarded funding will be based on individual circumstances and actual financial need - the funding is not guaranteed.
- We will also consider the number of dependent children in the household when making a decision on eligibility.
- We will also consider the circumstances of students with caring responsibilities when making a decision on eligibility
- Applications from households with an income above £40,000 may still be considered at the discretion of the college on an individual basis, subject to sufficient funding being available.
Support Available
Meals - £6.00 daily credit pre-loaded onto your college ID card to use in any of the college food outlets. This allowance can only be used on days you are timetabled into lessons.
Travel costs – For students living over 1.5 miles from the college and served by a direct Stagecoach bus route, we can provide a Stagecoach Student Unirider bus pass which allows free travel (including weekends & outside term time) across the whole North-East area for the 26/27 academic year.
For students living in other areas, support provided will be determined by available public transport links. For travel by rail or other bus services, receipts showing an example of daily costs will be required at the beginning of term 1 & during term 2. Once these are received, we will make BACS payments into the student’s bank account every 4 college weeks.
Students travelling from areas where there are no direct public transport links within reasonable distance should contact student services at the college to discuss bespoke travel options.
All travel bursaries awarded are subject to a maximum £25.00 weekly amount. Appeals for higher travel amounts will be sent to the Head of Student Support for consideration.
Additional Travel Support
If you are unable to use public transport due to registered disabilities/health conditions, you may be eligible for further assistance. For more information, please contact us in student services.
Placement Travel Costs – Please contact us to discuss.
Uniform – The cost of one essential uniform (Hair, Beauty, Travel & Tourism and Catering courses).
Equipment - Essential equipment that is not already provided in lessons.
Books - Essential books for your course that are not already provided.
Essential field trips to achieve or support study programme goals or course objectives.
UCAS application fees
Help with costs of attending industry placements, university interviews or open days
Childcare (Care To Learn)
Young parents aged 16-19 can apply for help with childcare costs through Care to Learn (C2L). C2L applications are processed through the college. The 16-19 bursary fund may also be used to top up costs that exceed the weekly maximum rates for C2L.
Hartlepool College of Further Education Care to Learn Childcare Application 26/27 – Fill in form
Other Funding/Support
Travel Costs – Outside Hartlepool
Students who live outside Hartlepool with a household income above £40,000 can also apply for help with travel costs. For these higher income households, the support will be paid by the college itself, rather than 16-19 bursary funds.
Hardship
If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to provide evidence for bursary approval, we encourage you to speak to us as soon as possible. In extreme circumstances, we can provide emergency support. Feel free to contact us at any point during the college year if your situation changes. You can get in touch by email, phone, or come and see us in student services.
Contact Us
If you have any questions/comments, please feel free to contact us by email/phone or come and see us in student services:
David Sewell - Bursary Administration Assistant
( (01429) 404131
* david.sewell@hartlepoolfe.ac.uk
Elizabeth Lawton - Lead Adviser (Bursary)
( (01429) 404171
