Financial support and advice

We recognise that coming to College may have a cost. Please contact us if you need further information about the financial support available.

Calling all students… Bursary for Educational Excellence

If you have, or expect to, achieve at least five GCSEs at grade A* - B, you could pocket a bursary of up to £1,000 from Bedford College to help towards your A Levels or other equivalent Level 3 course.

If you qualify you will receive £500 for each year of your course you complete, up to a maximum of £1,000.

Education bursary

Some courses are eligible for a £900 bursary – please call our Enquiries & Guidance advice line on 01234 291000 to find out more.

» Adult Learning Grant (ALG)

If you are aged 19 or over when you study for your first full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, you could receive an Adult Learning Grant (ALG). This is £30 per week which can go towards travel costs, books and equipment. It’s your money, so it’s up to you how you spend it.

» Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Depending on your circumstances, if you are aged between 16 and 18 when you join a full-time further education course at Bedford College, you could receive up to £30 per week to help support you throughout your course. Take a look at the EMA website for more information.

» Student support fund

If you have a particular hardship that would otherwise prevent you from studying, our student support fund* may be able to help with essential costs such as travel, child care, books or equipment. For more details call the Student Services helpline on 01234 291934.

You can download the Student Support Fund application form below. Please print the application form and either return it in person to Student Services or post it Recorded Delivery with your supporting documents.

16-18 Application Form (if you are aged 16-18 on 31^st August 2010)

19+ Application Form (if you are aged 19 or over on 31^st August 2010)

Childcare Application Form (if you require assistance with childcare costs)

* Funding is limited, particularly for child care, so we strongly advise that you apply as early as possible. Unfortunately we are unable to assist with the cost of fees.

» Travel costs

If you are 18 or under and live three or more miles away you may get help with your travel costs from your local authority.

If you live in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire or Cambridgeshire you can download the applications forms here:

Bedford Borough Form

Central Bedfordshire Form

Cambridgeshire Link

Student Services hold application forms for many of the surrounding local authority areas - please ring the helpdesk on 01234 291934 for more information, or alternatively contact your local authority direct.

If you are 19 or over, please contact us as we may also be able to help you with travel costs.

Student information