The Bedford College Group - Financial Support (Bursaries & Loans)
The Bedford College Group
Apply NowWorried money might stop you starting college? Apply for Bedford College Group bursaries and loans to cover travel, meals, course costs or hardship, so you can join courses, focus on learning and boost your future.
The Bedford College Group provides a range of means-tested financial support packages to help students overcome barriers to attending college. The page explains three main funding streams for 2025/26: the 16-19 Bursary Fund (for students aged 16-18), the Adult Support Fund (for students aged 19+), and the Advanced Learner Loans Bursary for learners in receipt of an Advanced Learner Loan.
Support can cover travel, meals, essential course costs, residential fees and discretionary hardship awards. Amounts and types of support vary by fund and eligibility. Travel bursaries are typically £530 or £770 per year (paid monthly across the academic year) if you meet distance and income rules; vulnerable learners may receive up to £1,200 per year; meals bursaries provide a meal allowance (up to £5.
50) on days in college; some students may receive up to 75% assistance with residential fees or essential course costs. Adult funds may offer 50%-75% support towards tuition or course costs and limited accommodation support; childcare support is available with caps and eligibility rules.
To apply, students should use the online Eligibility Checker (link provided on the page) and upload evidence of residency, household income and other required documents. The page lists detailed eligibility criteria, exclusions (for example apprenticeships, higher education and international students for some funds), and links to further information including Advanced Learner Loans and bursary FAQs.
Location
- 16-19 Bursary: for students aged 16-18 and under 19 on 31 August 2025 who have lived in the UK/EEA for the past three years and have household income below £42,500.
- 16-19 Bursary vulnerable groups: in care, care leavers, receiving Income Support/Universal Credit for themselves, or receiving DLA/PIP alongside ESA/UC.
- 16-19 Bursary exclusions: students aged 19+ on 31 August 2025 (unless EHCP or '19+ continuer'), students on apprenticeship programmes or any waged training, students on higher education programmes.
- Adult Support Fund / Advanced Learner Loans Bursary: for students aged 19 or over on 31 August 2025 who have lived in the UK/EEA for the past three years and have household income below £45,000.
- Advanced Learner Loans Bursary requires the student to be in receipt of an Advanced Learner Loan (and aged 19 or over on 31 August 2025).
- General bursary eligibility requires study on ESFA-funded or ESF-funded programmes, or publicly funded courses leading to a qualification (up to and including Level 3), or other listed eligible programme types.
- Applicants must provide documentary evidence of age, residency and household income and other evidence as requested (e.g., tenancy agreement, child benefit, birth certificates) where applicable.
- International students are not eligible for adult bursaries.
Means-tested bursaries and support payments. Examples include travel bursaries of £530 or £770 per annum (paid monthly across the academic year), vulnerable learner payments up to £1,200 per year, meals bursary providing a free meal up to £5.50 on days timetabled to attend, up to 75% towards residential fees for eligible students, and 50%-75% support for tuition/essential course costs for eligible adult students. Payments typically paid monthly or applied directly to course/department where appropriate.
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