Financial Support at Blackpool Sixth
If you choose to study at Blackpool Sixth, we will do everything possible to support you.
There is a variety of financial support available to you during your time studying with us including bursaries, free meals and assistance with childcare.
College bursaries and free meals
A bursary is financial support that you can use to support your education at college and, depending on eligibility, could provide support with transport costs, meals, course resources and much more. The bursaries are reviewed annually and are subject to change in relation to college funding.
Bursary A (vulnerable bursary) – available to specific vulnerable groups.
What may be included*
Based on individual need, you could receive support that is equivalent to £1200, including transport and free meals.
Who is eligible?
- you are a young person in care, including unaccompanied children seeking asylum
- you are a young care leaver
- you are a young person receiving Income Support, Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit in your own right (because you are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and is living with you such as a child or partner)
*Subject to eligibility
Bursary B (free meal discretionary bursary) – benefits based
What may be included*
- Free meals (in the form of a credit at a minimum of £6.00 per day)
- travel to and from college by either bus or train (if you live 1.5 miles or more from college)
- essential course equipment/devices (e.g. art materials)
- essential course ‘uniform’
- course-related books
- essential educational visits
- examination fees
- authorised university visits and application cost (e.g. university interviews)
- college arranged work experience related costs
- DBS checks where required for course related work experience
Who is eligible?
- Income Support
- Income based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Assessed on the most recent credit award letter to be eligible.
- Universal Credit – from 1 April 2018, if a parent/carer is entitled to Universal Credit they must have an annual net earned income equivalent to and not exceeding £7,400 (after tax and not including any benefits you get). Assessed on up to the last three of the parent(s)/carer(s) most recent Universal Credit assessment periods/statements to be eligible.
*Subject to eligibility
Bursary C (discretionary bursary only) – based on household income
What may be included*
- travel to and from college by either bus or train (if you live 1.5 miles or more from college)
- catering contribution of £3.50 per day towards the cost of food/drink in college
- essential course equipment/devices (e.g. art materials)
- essential course ‘uniform’
- course-related books
- essential educational visits
- examination fees
- authorised university visits and application costs (e.g. university interviews)
- college arranged work experience related costs
- DBS checks where required for course related work experience
Who is eligible?
To qualify for Bursary C, parent(s)/carer(s) must have a household income at or below £23,000.
- To be eligible, Working Tax Credit will be assessed on the most recent credit award letter or Universal Credit on the last three of the parent(s)/carer(s) most recent Universal Credit assessment periods/statements.
- If you do not receive these benefits but your household income is £23,000 or below, please contact us on bursary@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk to discuss alternative evidence.
*Subject to eligibility
Transition Bursary
What may be included*
- Free meals (in the form of a credit at a minimum of £6.00 per day)
Who is eligible?
A student can apply for the Transition Bursary if they can evidence that they were in receipt of free school meals in year 11.
Please note – A student could be eligible for both the Transition Bursary and Bursary C. Evidence of both household income and being in receipt of free school meals in year 11 should be uploaded to the bursary portal. In this instance, the free school meal allowance of £6.00 per day would replace the £3.50 catering contribution, otherwise included in the Bursary C offering. A student would not be entitled to both.
*Subject to eligibility
New applications:
Please follow this link to apply for a bursary for the 2022/23 academic year once you have enrolled. Applications must be submitted in the student’s name and their student number and college email address are required for registration.
Important: You must provide evidence of all income sources or benefit(s) you or your parent(s)/carer(s) receive. Please upload these documents in full onto the online portal as and when requested. You will not be able to complete an online bursary application without this evidence.
If you have any questions about the bursary, application process or evidence, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Finance team by calling 01253 307096 or emailing bursary@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk.
Please note: Bursary provision is reviewed annually and is subject to changes in college funding.
Previous applicants:
All students will have to re-apply for financial support each year that they are in college, as the bursary does not roll-over into the next academic year. Full, up-to-date evidence will need to be provided with each new application form. Students will be contacted by the Student Finance team when it is time to re-apply.
If you have any questions about the bursary, application process or evidence, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Finance team by calling 01253 307096 or emailing bursary@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk.
Please note: Bursary provision is reviewed annually and is subject to changes in college funding.
Video Guides
Registration and login
Completing the online application
Frequently asked questions
How will I get my free meals?
If you are eligible for free meals or a catering contribution, a daily allowance will be added to your college catering account. This is redeemable at any of the college’s catering outlets’ till points, by swiping your college ID card as instructed.
How will I receive my travel pass?
If you are eligible for a bus pass, a member of the Student Finance team will contact you to explain how you will receive this. This will vary according to which bus pass type you have selected.
What if I have to travel to college by train?
College can meet up to 40% of the cost of your train travel to and from college. Please speak to a member of the Student Finance team about your travel route and related ticket costs and refund arrangements will be put in place.
How do I access support with additional college costs?
In the first instance, please email your requirements to bursary@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk attaching any relevant links to items you may be requesting.
What if my financial circumstances at home change?
Blackpool Sixth understands that circumstances may change throughout the year. If there are changes to your household income during the year (e.g. a parent/carer loses their job), you can apply for a bursary or we can reassess the existing bursary support awarded to you at any time during your studies.
What if I don’t qualify for a college bursary?
If you don’t qualify for a college bursary but can evidence you are struggling financially with college costs please speak to your Pastoral Mentor.
You may be required to provide financial evidence.
Any questions that haven’t been answered above?
If you require any help or advice on making a bursary application or any financial support listed above then, please email the Student Finance team on bursary@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk or by calling 01253 307096.