Student Bursaries & Financial Support

BMet Bursary

We offer a bursary scheme for those aged 16-18 whose household income is below £25,000 and you must study for a minimum of 2 or more days.  Depending on your individual circumstances and household income you will get help with public transport travel costs (distance to college criteria applies), buying equipment, help towards the cost of course related trips and help with the cost of kit or uniform, UCAS fees, University Visits and the cost of printing.  In some cases we are also able to support with the cost of meals up to £2.50 per day where your income is below £15,000 and you do not meet eligibility criteria for the College Free Meals scheme.

Research shows that students who attend their classes are more likely to do well. Therefore, if you are eligible for one of our bursaries, we expect you to maintain an attendance rate of at least 89% or above to continue to be eligible for financial support.

Click here for Bursary Policy.

Care to Learn

This fund has been set up to give financial support to young mothers and fathers who want to continue their education or training and need help with the cost of childcare. You can apply to Care to Learn if:

• you are under 20 at the start of your course
• you are using a registered childcare provider
• you are enrolled onto a funded course

You could also receive extra help towards your travel costs. You apply online for Care to Learn support.

Free College Meals

The college runs a Free meals scheme for eligible learners.  Additional criteria apply, and evidence must be provided at the time of application.  All eligible learners are provided with a £3.50 meal allowance each day.

Vulnerable Bursaries

The college is able to offer an additional scheme called Vulnerable Bursary to learners who meet specific criteria.   Don’t forget to tell us about your individual circumstances and provide evidence when you apply for support.

You could get up to £1,200 per year paid in regular instalments if at least one of the following applies:

• you’re in or recently left local authority care
• you get Income Support or Universal Credit because you’re financially supporting yourself
• you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in your name and either Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit
• you get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in your name and either ESA or Universal Credit.

You may get the full amount if you have expenses and study full-time on a course of at least 30 weeks.

For full financial support information, you can download each college’s booklet;

• James Watt College
• Matthew Boulton College
• Sutton Coldfield College

We know that coming back to study after a gap can be daunting and we want to support you every step of the way. So, if you are over 19 with a household income £25,000 or less a year, earn less than £17,004 per annum or if you are in receipt of means tested benefits we want to help, providing you study for a minimum of 2 days or more. We may also be able to pay your course fees and give you up to 50% of your equipment costs, providing your attendance is over 89%.

We can also provide support for the cost of childcare if you are aged 20+, up to a maximum of £50 per day.

Free College Meals

Students aged between 19 and 25 will be eligible for a meal allowance if you have a Learning Disability Assessment (LDA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or an Education Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan).  If eligible you will be able to purchase a meal at the main refectories at each site up to the value of 3.50 per day.

For full financial support information, you can download each college’s booklet;

• James Watt College
• Matthew Boulton College
• Sutton Coldfield College

Did you know that if you are 19 or over and applying to study at Level 3 or above, you could be eligible for a student loan?

Click here for more info on Advanced Learner Loans.

If you are planning to undertake one of our Higher Education courses you may be able to apply for a loan and grant to support towards your course fees and living costs.

• ULC Y1 Students Tuition Fees and Financial Support 2020-21 (370 KB)

• ULC Y2 & Y3 StudentsTuition Fees and Financial Support 2020-21 (372 KB)

The Department for Education has produced a fact sheet to provide further information for care leavers.  Click here to read more.