Funding & Finance
We have a range of financial support packages that you may be able to access depending on your circumstances. Our customer service team can help you by giving you more information on course fees and letting you know what your support options may be. Please contact the customer service department on 0161 886 7070.
If you’re a student aged 16-18 then you do not pay any tuition, registration or exam fees, but you may be required to purchase course-related resources during your studies.
Are you eligible for 16-19 bursary
To be eligible for the 16 – 19 bursary you must be 18 or under on 31st August in the academic year you start college or be aged 24 and under if have an EHC plan (Educational Healthcare Plan).To apply for the College Bursary you household income needs to be £40,000 per year or less (before tax).
If you are eligible for the Bursary, you may be able to get help with travel, essential equipment, meals and trips.
Registered Young Carers with a household income of less than £40,000 per year (before tax) may be eligible for a weekly bursary.
A weekly bursary may also be awarded to students who meet one of the criteria below:
If you are a student who is in the care of the Local authority or are a Care Leaver or living with Foster Parents (but not a private foster care arrangement)
Students who receive Universal Credit in their own right because they are financially supporting themselves and someone living with them such as a child or a partner
Students who receive Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right as well as Personal Independence Payments or Disability Living Allowance
Bursary application forms are available below to download or you can collect from Learner Services at your campus of study.
If you have any Bursary enquiries, you can email – traffordstudentbursary@tcg.ac.uk
Helpful Information
The government has extended the free meals support to students from lower income families attending further education courses. This means that if you were in receipt of free meals whilst at school and are aged 16 – 18, you may still receive an allowance towards your lunch. In order to be eligible, you or your parents must be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Income support
- Income-based jobseekers allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Guaranteed element of state pension credit
- Child tax credit with a gross income of less than £16,190
- Working tax credit run on — paid for the 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
- Universal credit (with income under £616.67 per month)
If you think you may be eligible, please call into Student Services to see a member of the Student Finance team.
If you’re a young parent, you may be able to get help with childcare costs (up to £160 per child per week). For more information about this support, please contact the Care to Learn helpline on 0800 121 8989 for more information and an application pack.
Childcare Expenses, including travel expenses to and from a childcare provider for young parents aged 16-19, can also be accessed through the national Care2Learn scheme.
‘Our Pass’ is a free bus travel scheme for 16-18 year olds who live and travel within the Greater Manchester area. Visit www.ourpass.co.uk for more information on the scheme and to apply.
‘Our Pass’ replaces bursary financial assistance for bus travel if you’re a student within the Greater Manchester area.
Please note: if you use an ‘Our Pass’ for journeys to and from college, you will not be eligible for a travel contribution from the bursary.
An ‘Our Pass’ will cost £10 and this fee will be reimbursed by the college if you are eligible for the bursary, live more than 1 miles from the college, and use an ‘Our Pass’ for your college journeys.
If you live outside the Greater Manchester area, or have to use alternative transport methods, you may be eligible for financial support for travel. Please contact Student Services to discuss this with a Financial Support Officer.