Wallet with money and cards

Money Matters

Courses are free if you are aged 16 – 18 or up to 24 if you declare a disability and have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan.

There may be other financial help available to you.

16 – 19 Bursary Fund (Vulnerable Students)

You are eligible to apply for a bursary of up to £30 per week for courses which last 30 weeks or more (less for shorter courses) if you are aged over 16 and under 19 on 31 August and: 

  • Are in care or a care leaver. 
  • In receipt of Income Support (or Universal Credit in place of Income Support) in your own name or are a disabled student in receipt of both Disability Living Allowance (or new Personal Independence Payment – PIP) and Employment Support. Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit in your own name. 
  • You satisfy college attendance and behaviour criteria.

This bursary is paid in weekly instalments into your bank account.

  • Funds administered by Greenbank College. Further information is available from Student Services.

Young Persons’ Discretionary Bursary Fund

If you are facing genuine financial difficulties, you may be awarded a grant at our discretion (subject to making an application and availability of funding). This can be used, for example, to cover the cost of coming in to college or buying protective clothing. 

You can apply for funds if: 

  • You are aged over 16 and under 19 on 31 August or aged up to 24 if you have an EHC Plan. 
  • You satisfy college attendance and behaviour criteria. 
  • Funds administered by Greenbank College. Further information is available from Student Services.

Help with Transport Costs

The Young Persons’ Discretionary Bursary Fund may also support you if you are disabled and cannot travel independently to college, but where possible we will work with you and your family to offer travel training and encourage independent travel.

If you are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)mobility component, then you may be expected to make a monthly contribution towards any taxi costs. If you have a Motability car, you will be expected to make your own travel arrangements.

If you were eligible for assistance from your local authority to transport you to school, you may be eligible for continued support until you are 19. 

  • Contact Liverpool City Council on 0151 233 6511 / 0151 233 6513 or your local authority (if you are not a Liverpool resident).

Free Meals

We may also be able to support you by providing free meal vouchers (redeemable in the College Canteen or Time Out Café) for each full day that you are timetabled on your programme.

You are eligible if: 

  • You are aged over 16 and under 19 on 31 August or aged up to 24 if you have an EHC Plan.

And 

  • Your parent or guardian must be in receipt of one of the following, Income Support, Universal Credit, Guarantee element of State Pension Credit, Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance, Child Tax Credit (annual gross income of no more than £16,190) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. 

Care to Learn

If you are under 20 and have one or more children, you may be eligible for help with the cost of childcare up to the value of £160 per child per week, whilst you study. 

To qualify you must: 

Be under 20 at the start of an eligible course 

Be the main carer for own child or children 

Use a childcare provider registered with Ofsted 

National Union of Students (NUS) Membership

Our Students’ Union is affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS). This means that you can apply for an NUS Extra Card (fee payable) which entitles you to a wide range of discounts.