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. Depending on eligibility, the college may provide help with meals, transport, course-related costs and much more. The level of support you are eligible for will be based on your household’s financial circ*mstances, as outlined below. You can apply once you have completed enrolment.
Tier 1 - available to specific vulnerable groups
What may be included*
Based on individual needs, you could receive support that is equivalent to £1200, including transport and free meals.
Who is eligible?
- A young person in care, including unaccompanied children seeking asylum
- A young care leaver
- 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
Tier 2 - FREE MEALS - BENEFIT BASED
What may be included*
- free meals (to the minimum value of £2.53 as outlined in the 16-19 bursary guidance)
- 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
- college arranged work experience-related costs
- DBS checks where required for course related work experience
*The free meal allowance may be topped up using college funds. The free meal amount will be confirmed in the financial support offer letter.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for Tier 2, parent(s)/carer(s) must bein receipt in any of the below:
- Income Support
- Income based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Theguaranteed elementof 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 His 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
Tier 3 - transport - 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)
- essential course equipment/devices (e.g. art materials)
- essential course ‘uniform’
- course-related books
- essential educational visits
- examination fees
- college arranged work experience-related costs
- DBS checks where required for course-related work experience
Who is eligible?
To qualify for Tier 3, parent(s)/carer(s) must have ahousehold income at or below £26,000.
- Eligibility will be based on evidence of household income. You must provide evidence of all income sources or benefit(s) and these documents must be uploaded in full to the online portal. You will not be able to complete an online application without this evidence.
- If a P60 or an SA302 (to prove self-employed earnings) is used as evidence, you must attach this for each named contact of the household. This must show earnings for the most recent financial year.
- If Working Tax Credit is used as evidence, you must attach each page of the statement that shows the earned income from the most recent financial year.
- If Universal Credit is used as evidence, the last three months’ statements of the parent(s)/carer(s) must be attached in full, showing all take home pay and deductions.
Please contact us onbursary@blackpoolsixth.ac.ukto discuss alternative evidence.
*Subject to eligibility
Tier 4 - Based on household income
What may be included*
Those eligible for Financial Support Tier 4 will receive 50% off the college-subsidised rate for Blackpool Transport, Stagecoach or Archway. If a student travels by train, we will refund the full cost of the student’s Railcard in addition to 50% of the cost of the train fare.
| Transport type | We pay | You pay |
| Blackpool Transport | £300.00 | £30 per month |
| Stagecoach | £273.00 | £27.30 per month |
| Archway | £375.00 | £37.50 per month |
| Train | 50% of the fare | 50% of the fare |
Who is eligible?
To qualify for Tier 4, parent(s)/carer(s) must have a household income at or below £36,000*
- Eligibility will be based on evidence of household income. You must provide evidence of all income sources or benefit(s) and these documents must be uploaded in full to the online portal. You will not be able to complete an online application without this evidence.
- If a P60 or an SA302 (to prove self-employed earnings) is used as evidence, you must attach this for each named contact of the household. This must show earnings for the most recent financial year.
- If Working Tax Credit is used as evidence, you must attach each page of the statement that shows the earned income from the most recent financial year.
- If Universal Credit is used as evidence, the last three months’ statements of the parent(s)/carer(s) must be attached in full, showing all take home pay and deductions.
Please contact us onbursary@blackpoolsixth.ac.ukto discuss alternative evidence.
*Subject to eligibility
Tier 5 - Based on free school meal eligibility from year 11
What may be included*
- free meals
Who is eligible?
A student can apply for Tier 5, if they were in receipt of free school meals in year 11.
- Evidence of this would be in the form of a letter from your local council, a letter from the school directly or a screen shot of your school’s catering portal, showing your meals were funded.
Please note–A student could be eligible for both Financial Support Tier 3/4 together with Tier 5. Evidence of both householdincome and being in receipt of free school meals in year 11 should be uploaded to the application portal.
*Subject to eligibility
New applications:
Please follow this linkto apply for financial support for the 2024/25 academic year once you have enrolled.Applications must besubmitted in the student’s name and their student number and college email address are required for registration. These will beprovided during the enrolment process.
Important: You must provide evidence of all income sources or benefit(s) you or your parent(s)/carer(s) receive. Pleaseupload these documents in full onto the online portal as and when requested. You will not be able to complete an onlineapplication without this evidence.
Previous applicants:
All students will have tore-applyfor financial support each year that they are in college, as their support does not roll over into the next academic year. Full, up-to-date evidence may 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 levels of financial support available, the application process or evidencerequirements, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Finance team by calling 01253 307096 oremailing bursary@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk.
Please note: Financial support provision is reviewed annually and is subject to change.
Frequently asked questions
How will I get my free meals?
If you are eligible for free meals ora 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 tobursary@blackpoolsixth.ac.ukattaching any relevant links to items you may be requesting.
What if my financial circ*mstances at home change?
Blackpool Sixth understands that circ*mstances 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 or the student finance team.
You may be required to provide financial evidence.
