You can now apply for bursary funding for 2025/26!

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 2025 to be eligible for help from the Bursary Fund in 25/26, except for the following exceptions:

• students aged 19 or over are 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 (EHC) plan.

All students (including returning students) need to complete a bursary application form for each academic year that they study.

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

Students who meet the criteria and have a financial need can apply for a bursary for priority groups. 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.

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 25/26 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 all our college food outlets if they or their parent/carer receives one or more of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• 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
• Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC))
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit (UC) with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 for each year (after tax and not including any benefits they get).

Students who qualify for the 16-19 Discretionary Bursary will also be entitled to receive £6.00 per day free meals in college.

Additional Support

Learners whose household income is below £40,000 can apply for:

• Uniform/Equipment/Books – We can help towards the cost of essential uniform/equipment/books required for the course.
• Field trips (must be an essential part of the course) and other course-related costs.
• Help with the cost of attending industry placements & University interviews/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.

https://forms.office.com/e/vh9a8vLjP6

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: Email: bursaryadmin@hartlepoolfe.ac.uk or phone (01429) 295111