16-19 Discretionary Learner Support Fund

You may be able to receive financial support to help with:

• Travel
• Meals
• UCAS Fees
• Trips
• Course costs (books, equipment, materials, laptop loan, course kits, uniform)

If you are under 20 years of age and need help to pay for childcare to attend college, students can apply for Care to Learn funding.

For more information on how to apply for Care to Learn, go to the following link https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn

To be eligible for Discretionary Learner Support Fund, students or their parents/carers must be in receipt of means tested benefits and/or with a gross household income of £27,295 or below.

To receive the Learner Support Fund students must be enrolled on a full-time course which is 12 hours or more a week over 10 weeks or longer and be a ‘Home’ or a ‘European Economic Area’ student.

For more information read the LSF Eligibility Guide.

Students must also:

• be aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31st August
• be aged 19-24 years old on 31st August and have an Education, Health and Care Plan
• be aged 19 or over (“19+ continuer”) on 31st August and continuing on an eligible study programme they began aged 16 to 18 (this applies to discretionary bursaries only).
• be aged 16-18 and in care or a care leaver
• have their own bank account to receive payment

To ensure a weekly payment, students must have a minimum of 80% attendance each week and meet the standards of behaviour and effort agreed at the start of the course. To make an application to access the Learner Support Fund click here: Pay my Student Portal

If you have any questions, complete the learner support fund enquiry form by going to the link below or call the Bursary Helpline Number on 0203 764 4360.

Learner Support Fund Enquiry Form

Read the Learner Support Policy

Learner Support Fund Easy Read Guide 2025-2026