The 2026-27 Bursary is aimed at financially assisting students who face the greatest financial barriers to participation. Support will depend on students actual financial need as well as transport costs (for those who qualify for the Bursary and live further then 2 miles from College) meals, course requirements and siblings/children in the household.

The Bursary is available to eligible students whose total household income does not exceed the threshold of £40,000 and they are in receipt of one or more of the following:

• Income support
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income related Employment Support Allowance (Must be received in conjunction with Disability Allowance)
• Personal Independence Payment
• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Earned wages from a job
• Self-Employed earnings (we may request evidence of your company registration or tax return form)
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit

The Transport Bursary is available to students qualifying for the General Bursary to help towards the costs of a bus pass if the student lives outside a 2 mile radius of college.

The Targeted Bursary offers support for students who are in care, care leavers, in receipt of Income Support/Universal Credit in their name or disabled and in receipt pf Employment Support Allowance/Universal Credit AND Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independent Payments. Indirect payments up to the maximum value of £1200 are designed to remove barriers to participation.

Free Meals are targeted at disadvantaged students. To qualify you should be in receipt of or have parents in receipt of, one or more of the benefits listed above. With an annual household income that does not exceed the Government threshold.

For 2026-27 Families in receipt of Universal Credit will now qualify for Free Meals regardless income.

For young people aged 16-24 who are resident in the Borough of St Helens

• Help with buying items such as tools, instruments, books, travel and clothing
• Applications are encouraged from young people who have experienced significant financial hardship
• Applications must be submitted by the end of September

Sarah Cowley Educational Trust Reminder Letter

Certificate of attendance form 25-26

Sarah Cowley Educational Trust Application form

• The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation
• Extra financial support available in extenuating circumstances
• Additional Bursary support for Students requiring assistance towards curriculum essential trips such as Geography and Modern Foreign Languages*
• Loan equipment essential for completion of course work*

*Subject to the availability of funds and the number of eligible applicants