Higher Education Financial Support

1. Head to the Student Finance website
2. Create a new account (new applicants only)
3. Log into your Student Finance account
4. Create your application by selecting the correct institution and course for your studies*.
5. Submit your application
6. Receive your Notification of Entitlement Letter
7. Complete the College enrolment process

*The institution you name on your application will depend on your course- This will be confirmed on your offer letter.

The progression bursary is a one-off payment in year 1 of a students’ course of £500.

The eligibility criteria include the student being:

1. A UK or EU national and studying either at Bedford College, Shuttleworth College, Tresham College, National College for Motorsport or The Bedford Sixth Form, The Corby Sixth Form or Central Bedfordshire College who has successfully completed a full-time Level 3 programme, or Level 3 apprenticeship.
2. Must be enrolled on a full-time or part-time higher education course at The Bedford College Group
3. Apply before 31st December of the academic year
4. Have a student loan approved or agreed, an agreed direct debit or have paid their fees in full
5. Not have been awarded the progression bursary in any previous academic year.

Click on the Eligibility Checker to start your application.

The travel bursary can be up to £500 per academic year.

1. The eligibility criteria for the travel bursary includes a student to have:
2. Achievement of a level 3 qualification at The Bedford College Group and has progressed to a University Centre course at a different campus where not available at their original campus
3. Lives in excess of 15.5 miles walking distance from their new campus
4. Enrolled on a Bedford College Group University course

The travel bursary is also dependent on attendance to the course.

Click on the Eligibility Checker to start your application

The Hardship Fund has a maximum funding level grant of £500 per application and is subject to available funding at the time of the application. The grant is limited to once per academic year

Eligibility criteria for the hardship bursary include the following criteria:

1. The student is enrolled and attending as a student on a University Centre course at Bedford College Group at the time of payment.
2. The student has received a full tuition fee loan from Student Finance England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland that covers your tuition.
3. The student has received a full entitlement of maintenance loans from Student Finance England
4. Full-time students and students with children, lone parents, mature students, students with low-income families, students who have been in care, students who are homeless, final-year students, disabled students and students that were eligible for Free School Meals at KS4 are also eligible to apply to this fund.

Click on the Eligibility Checker to start your application 

ALS staff will support eligible students with their DSA applications, including those on Level 3 courses progressing onto Higher Education.

Please contact the HEoffice@bedford.ac.uk or your Additional learning support contact to discuss this support.