Bursary Support

Helping eligible students access financial support while studying at Access Sport.

Bursary Support

Helping eligible students access financial support while studying at Access Sport.

About the Bursary

Our bursary funds are intended to provide financial support to help learners overcome the specific financial barriers to participation so they can focus on their studies and achieve their goals.

Funding is allocated based on eligibility and individual needs and can only be used to help with the essential costs of your study programme.

There are two types of bursaries

16-19 Discretionary Bursary

Support for learner ages 16 – 19 to help with the cost of studying. Awards are based on individual circumstances and financial need. 

19 – 21 Vulnerable Young Person Bursary

Additional support for learners ages 16 – 19 who are in care, care leavers, or in recipient of income support or Universal Credit.

What can the bursary help with?

Transport via bus and rail

Support towards travel costs for eligible students.

Meals

Help towards the cost of meals while studying.

Student kit  and essential Course equipment

Help towards the cost of teamwear and course equipment while studying.

Trips and mandatory activites

Help with the costs of trips and other essential course activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 16–19 Bursary Fund?

The 16–19 Bursary Fund is financial support provided by the Government to help eligible students overcome financial barriers to education. At Access Sport College, the bursary can help students with essential costs so they can fully participate in their studies

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are aged 16–19 on 31 August before the start of the academic year.
  • Are enrolled on an eligible full-time study programme at Access Sport College.
  • Meet the bursary eligibility criteria.

Some students aged 19 or over with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan may also be eligible.

There are two types of bursary support:

 

Vulnerable Student Bursary

 

This is available to students who meet the Government’s vulnerable student criteria, including those who:

  • Are in care or are care leavers.
  • Receive certain disability-related benefits and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
  • Receive Universal Credit in their own name because they are financially supporting themselves.

 

Discretionary Bursary

 

This bursary is available to students who require financial assistance but do not meet the vulnerable student criteria. Awards are based on household income, individual circumstances and available funding.

There is no set bursary amount. The funding you receive will depend on your individual circumstances, financial need, the costs associated with your course, and the evidence you provide with your application. Support may be awarded for travel, meals, essential course equipment, sports kit, educational trips and other approved course-related costs. Each application is assessed individually, and awards are subject to the funding available.

Yes. If you wish to be considered for financial support, you must submit a new bursary application for each academic year. This allows Access Sport College to reassess your eligibility based on your current financial circumstances and the funding available. Receiving a bursary in one year does not automatically guarantee funding for the next.

Depending on your circumstances, the bursary may help towards:

 

  • Travel to and from college.
  • Meals while attending college.
  • Essential course equipment and learning resources.
  • Sports kit or specialist equipment required for your programme up to the value of £185.
  • Educational visits and compulsory course trips.
  • Other essential costs needed to complete your course successfully.

Once you have enrolled and been allocated your Access Sport College Email address, complete the Access Sport College bursary application form and submit all requested supporting evidence. Applications are assessed once all required documents have been received.

You may be asked to provide:

 

  • Proof of household income or benefits.
  • Evidence of any benefits received.
  • Bank account details.
  • Identification.
  • Any additional documents requested to support your application.

As part of the application process, you must have a bank account in your own name. Applications cannot be considered until they are submitted with the applicant’s own bank account details.

Apply as soon as possible after enrolling once you have been allocated your Access Sport email address of which you need to use to apply through. We encourage applicants/parents to prepare the evidence required in advance to assist the application 

No. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee an award. All applications are assessed individually, and funding is limited.

Support may be provided through:

 

  • Payments to your bank account.
  • Travel passes or travel reimbursements.
  • Meal support.
  • Purchase or reimbursement of approved course equipment.
  • Direct payment for approved educational trips.

Yes. Students are expected to:

 

  • Attend lessons regularly.
  • Arrive on time.
  • Maintain good behaviour.
  • Make satisfactory progress on their course.

 

Failure to meet these expectations may affect future bursary payments.

Please inform the Student Services or Bursary Team as soon as possible. Your award may need to be reviewed based on your updated circumstances.

Yes. If you believe your application has not been assessed correctly, you may request a review in accordance with the Access Sport College bursary appeals process.

In most cases, the 16–19 Bursary Fund does not affect entitlement to benefits. If you are unsure, please seek independent advice.

Yes. All personal information is handled securely and in accordance with UK data protection legislation. Information is used only for the purpose of assessing and administering bursary applications.

If you have any questions about the 16–19 Bursary Fund or need assistance completing your application, please contact the Access Further Education Bursary Team.

Applying for a Bursary

Once you’ve enrolled and received your Access Sport College email address, you’ll be able to apply for bursary support by logging into the Pay My Student portal.

To make your application as straightforward as possible, you’ll find links below to our Bursary Policy, Evidence Guides and Terms & Conditions of Bursary Support. These explain who can apply, what support is available, and the evidence you’ll need to provide.