Bursaries
Discretionary Learner Support Bursary
Courses marked with a 
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The Discretionary Learner Support Bursary has been established to support those learners who are facing financial hardship to allow them to continue with their learning on specific government and loan-funded courses.
The fund can cover the cost of items such as:
- Tuition fees
- Childcare
- Travel
- Course-related materials
- Lunch on course days
- Laptop loans and internet access
The fund is limited and therefore awards on made on the basis of need and on a first come first served basis. Learners claiming for the bursary should inform the Department for Work and Pension that they are receiving learner support funds from RHACC.
Who is eligible for funding?
To be considered for funding you must be:
• aged 19 or over on 31 August 2023
• have a household income below £35,000 per annum
• be studying on an eligible government-funded course (these are marked with a C* in the course guide) or a student loan-funded course
• have lived in the UK for the last three years or have permission to remain in the UK for 12 months from the start date of the course (GLA).
What Support is Available?
Travel Bursary:
We can help with the cost of travel for the days you attend college, which would usually mean the reimbursement of public transport fares and/or parking costs.
Travel costs are reimbursed by bank transfer on the submission of evidence of travel (i.e. original receipts). Travel evidence should clearly show the home-to-college travel route.
Materials Bursary:
The cost of materials needed for your course could be covered by the fund. This includes art materials, books, stationery, and other materials necessary to complete your course. The costs should be approved by the course tutor prior to purchase and will be reimbursed on the submission of original receipts. If you cannot afford to purchase the required materials we may be able to purchase them on your behalf. Please note that a maximum of £150 can be awarded per term.
Childcare:
If you require childcare while you are at college (for timetabled classes), and you meet the requirements, we may be able to cover the costs as follows:
•Up to £80 per day for one child or £140 per day for two children – when using an Ofsted registered childminder. Registered attendance of 90% at college is required to claim your childcare. If you are 19 or under you may also be eligible for funding under the government's Care to Learn package. Please talk to us if you think you are eligible.
Registered attendance at college is required to claim your childcare. If you are 19 or under you may also be eligible for funding under the government's Care to Learn package. Please talk to us if you think you are eligible.
What evidence of income is required?
If you are not in receipt of benefits but have a household income below £35,000 gross per year you will need to provide proof of income for all adult members of the household, this includes:
• Current Council Tax Bill or Tenancy Agreement
• Bank statements for the past three consecutive months for each adult
• Payslips for the past three consecutive months for each adult
If you are unable to provide an up-to-date letter, then a current bank statement showing the payments made into your bank account may be accepted if used in conjunction with an out-of-date official document.
If you are not in receipt of benefits but have a household income below £35,000 you will need to provide proof of income for all adult members of the household, this includes:
• Current Council Tax Bill or Tenancy Agreement
• Bank statements for the past three consecutive months for each adult
• Payslips for the past three consecutive months for each adult
If you are self-employed we may accept a personal tax calculation from HMRC; self-assessment tax return; SA302 or annual tax summary
How do I apply?
Please complete the Financial Support Bursary Application Form (available from reception) and hand it in with the required evidence to reception at either the Parkshot or Hillcroft campuses.
Your application will be assessed and if we agree to award you funding, you will be notified.
Decisions on bursary applications are usually made within two weeks of the receipt of the application form. The bursary form which you are required to sign, includes terms and conditions which you will be asked to comply with in order to receive the funding.
Adult Learner Loans Bursary
This bursary is available to those learners who are funding their course through an Advanced Learner Loan. The bursary is available to help with things like accommodation and travel; course materials and equipment; childcare; classroom assistance for a disability or learning difficulty – once you have been assessed.
The RHACC Bursary
If your household income is less than £27,000 but you don’t meet the other criteria for the 50% discount on leisure and community learning courses, you can still apply for support through our RHACC Bursary which is raised through donations and fundraising. (Please note that funding is limited and subject to approval on a first-come, first-served basis.)
