FE Financial Support (16-18) for 2025-26Applications Now Open
*19-25 with an Educational Health Care Plan
Bursary Information How Do I Apply for a Bursary FAQSSupport for over 19+

At Cornwall College we want to remove as many barriers to learning as possible. If you are starting a full-time study programme, we have a number of bursaries available to support you, depending on eligibility. If you are a wage-earning apprentice you will not be eligible for a bursary.
Bursaries for 2025-26
- Our Discretionary Bursary is based on household income and this determines the level of support that is available to you. If you have a household income of £50,000 or below, you could be supported with help towards; travel costs, equipment and resources, college meals and childcare through Care to Learn.
- Our Bursary Plus Bursary bursary is available to you if you fall into one of the following categories; a care leaver, in care, in receipt of Universal Credit in your own name or in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, PIP along with Employment Support Allowance. This bursary is tailored to your need and can support with travel and essential course related costs.
How do I apply for a Bursary?
It is really easy to apply for a college bursary and you can now do this online and directly upload your household income evidence to our online portal. This can be done on a PC or a phone or tablet.
Please watch our demonstration video which takes you through the steps needed to apply for your bursary. Alongside this please read through our FE Financial Support Guide to see what household income evidence we require from you to confirm your award. Once you have created your online bursary account you can log back into it at any time, to upload household income evidence, view your payment schedule and timetable.
Once we have assessed your application, we will contact you by email to let you know the outcome of your bursary application.
Apply for a bursary today / LoginFrequently Asked Questions
Financial support is always means tested on your household income. Before applying for your bursary please take a read through our Financial Support Guide and our Household Income Evidence Guide. These documents will tell you exactly what we need and in what format. Alongside this our Bursary Portal will tell you what you need to upload, depending on the answers you provide to the questions asked. Please note, that uploading incorrect evidence of household income could delay your bursary application.
You must live more than 3 miles from your chosen campus to be eligible for any transport assistance.
The Cornwall College Group helps reduce the cost of travel by offering subsidised routes for students. The cost of a Bus Pass can vary depending on the route and provider. We also offer substantial bursaries to support students from lower-income households. Bursary contributions towards bus pass costs are based on total net annual household income, with the following support levels available:
The Cornwall College Subsidised Transport Scheme:
Band A Bursary: Households with a combined income of less than £25,000 will be eligible for a fully funded bus pass, with a bursary discount of £1250
Band B Bursary: Households with a combined income of £25,001 – £35,000 will pay £125 with a bursary discount of £1,125
Band C Bursary: Households with a combined income of £35,001 – £50,000, will pay £650, with a bursary discount of £600
Band D Subsidised Pass: Households with a household income above £50,000, will pay £750 with a subsidised discount of £500.
Cornwall Council Transport and Taxis:
If your travel is provided by Cornwall Council, you must have applied and paid for your transport by Sunday 27th July 2025. Our bursaries can support you with the cost of a travel pass, dependent on eligibility criteria:
Band A Bursary: Households with a combined income of less than £25,000 will be eligible for a fully funded bus pass, with a bursary discount of £674
Band B Bursary: Households with a combined income of £25,001 – £35,000 will pay a contribution of £67.40 to The Cornwall College Group, who will pay the Council direct the remaining balance of £606.60
For households with a combined income of £35,001 or more, will need to purchase your pass direct from Cornwall Council, at a cost of £674 for an annual pass.
Please click here to view our transport links: https://www.cornwall.ac.uk/transport/
You could be eligible for free meals at college if:
- In receipt of Universal Credits and earning less than £7,400 per annum
- In employment but have an income of less than £16,190 per annum
Please note, that you will need to be re-assessed for free meals each year. This means even if you have received meals before at school or college, or you will need apply for a bursary for the new academic year.
• Some courses may require you to purchase essential items such as; PPE, uniforms or equipment.
• If your household income is below £16,190 then we can support you with £100 contribution towards these items. This will be paid to you at the start of the autumn term and you will need to provide us with receipts of your purchases.
• If your household income is between £16,190 and £21,000 we can support you with a £50 contribution towards these items. This will be paid to you at the start of the autumn term and you will need to provide us with your receipts of your purchases.
• Please note, all payments will be made to the student’s bank account by BACs, so please ensure that these details are entered when applying for your bursary.
If you are aged under 19 on 31st August 2024 then your course will be free. However, there may be some additional costs for optional trips, recommended text books and professional start up kits.
Students who fall into any of the following categories would be eligible for support towards childcare costs from the College Bursary:
- you’re a parent under 20 at the start of your course
- you’re the main carer for your child
- you live in England
- you’re either a British citizen or have a legal right to live and study in England
- your course qualifies
- your childcare provider qualifies
Yes, if you are required to stay in residential accommodation due to your chosen course not being available locally and / or because the course requires you to be available during out of college hours on a regular basis. Please read our Financial Support Guide for further information. The closing dates for the Residential Bursary will be Monday 30th June 2025.
The college receives a high volume of applications particularly before the start of the academic year, so please apply for your bursary as soon as possible. We aim to respond to your request within 21 working days. You can check the progress of your application via your online Pay My Student bursary account.
Please contact bursaries@cornwall.ac.uk and the team will be able to help you.
Download a PDF Guide for more information
Related Pages
- Supporting Your Learning
- Supporting You
- Transport
- Accommodation
- Students’ Union
- Information for Parents
- How to Apply
- Your Options Explained
- Term dates
- Careers Information
- FE Bursary Policy and Guidance – 2025-26