What financial support is available?

Need help with your application?

Please book a bursary appointment in advance using our online form. The team does not maintain a full-time office presence.

Bursary Applications for 2025/26

Apply here: PayMyStudent portal – University of Derby, Buxton Campus.

All bursary applications are managed through PayMyStudent, our secure online funding system. This ensures that your application is tracked accurately, your documents are safely stored, and you can monitor your application progress, payments, and messages all in one place.

Note: Use your Student ID and UniMail login credentials to register. Over the summer, temporary accounts are available for students who haven’t yet fully enrolled.

16–18 Year Olds

If you are aged 16–18 on 31 August 2025, you will not usually pay tuition fees for your course. Most full-time college-level study programmes are fully funded for this age group.

However, you may still have additional costs, including:

• Travel to and from college
• Uniforms, kits, and equipment
• Educational trips
• Meals while at college
• Childcare (if applicable)

This is where the college bursary can help support you.

UODB offers a range of financial support schemes based on your age, course type, and household circumstances.

All awards are discretionary, dependent on eligibility, available funds, and the submission of a complete application through PayMyStudent.

Support for learners aged 16–18 as of 31 August 2025

Helps cover extra costs associated with college attendance—travel, equipment, meals, trips, and childcare.

✅ Vulnerable Bursary – Up to £1,200 per year

• In care or a care leaver
• Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in your own name
• Receiving both ESA and either PIP or DLA

✅ Discretionary Bursary

For households earning £45,000pa or less. Supports:

• Travel to/from college
• Uniform, kit, or equipment
• Educational visits
• Meal support (if not eligible for free college meals)
• Childcare support (if under 20, via Care to Learn)

Applications are assessed individually based on financial need and participation costs.

Available for learners aged 16–18, those continuing a programme started 16–18, or 19–25 with an EHCP—who meet certain benefit criteria. Meal allowances are usually confirmed within 3–5 working days with correct evidence. Keep receipts while waiting for confirmation.

For students under 20 with childcare responsibilities. Covers up to £180 per week per child, retainer fees, deposits, and support during placements or off-site learning.

• Use an Ofsted-registered provider.
• Provide proof of parental responsibility and age.
• Apply through the bursary team; processed directly by UODB.

For learners aged 19+ with household income under £45,000pa. Can support:

• Travel
• Equipment, uniforms, or kit
• Educational visits
• Childcare (for Ofsted-registered providers)

Eligibility assessed based on income and course type. Fully funded courses may qualify automatically.

Available if you have an approved Advanced Learner Loan for a Level 3–6 qualification. Supports:

• Travel
• Books, kit, or uniforms
• Childcare with Ofsted-registered providers
• Learning support/additional needs

Household income must be under £45,000 to qualify.

Support levels depend on:

• Household income
• Course-related costs
• Type of support needed (travel, meals, uniforms, childcare)
• Available funding at time of application

📉 If income is near £0:

• 100% bus pass/travel reimbursement
• Free College Meals (if eligible)
• Up to 90% of kit/uniform costs
• Full childcare funding (if eligible)

📈 If income is near £45,000:

• Up to 50% travel pass contribution
• Unlikely to receive Meals or Childcare support

Learners living on viable public transport routes are not eligible for direct payments. Instead, they may receive travel pass contributions. Direct payments are for exceptional circumstances and must be evidenced.

This policy explains how bursary funds are administered at UODB for 2025/26, covering eligibility, evidence, application, payments, and withdrawal criteria. Read the full policy.

Includes:

• b_line Discount Card – Derbyshire 16–18-year-olds receive discounted bus and local rail travel.
• TOTUM Card – The UK’s #1 student discount card/app for savings on essentials, tech, fashion, and more.
• External Bursaries & Grants – Such as Bingham Trust (Buxton area), Fairfield Endowed School Trust, City & Guilds Bursary—ask the Bursary Team for assistance with these.

For students who didn’t achieve Grade 4 in English and/or Maths, or who experienced educational disruption—additional small group tuition is provided. No application is needed; eligible students will be contacted directly.

If you have an EHCP or diagnosed learning difficulties, you may be eligible for:

• 1:1 or shared learning support
• Assistive technology or equipment
• High Needs funding via your Local Authority

This support is managed separately by the Learning Support Team.

If your course is not available locally and you must live away from home to attend, you might be eligible for help through the Residential Support Scheme—often for specialist programmes like land-based studies or performing arts.

Young people aged 16–30 who are unemployed, underemployed, or not in full-time education may receive up to £250 to help with:

• Equipment or tools for a course
• Travel for learning or interviews
• Clothing for placements
• Exam or accreditation fees

Apply via King’s Trust.

Councils and local charities may offer discretionary grants for essential equipment, emergency transport, and personal development. Contact your Local Authority or Bursary Team for help locating these opportunities.

Need to Know: Parent / Guardian Support

We understand the vital role of parents, guardians, and carers in supporting bursary applications for the 2025/26 academic year. Due to GDPR, all bursary communications must be made directly with the student, not parents or guardians.

If you legally manage your child’s affairs (e.g. Power of Attorney), you must provide formal documentation before we can discuss their application.

All bursary updates will be sent to your child’s college email address.

Applications are managed via the cloud-based PayMyStudent accessible on mobile, tablet, or computer. Only enrolled students can log in. Parents/carers cannot access the system unless legally authorised and documented.

Due to GDPR, all bursary communications must be made directly with the student. Formal documentation is required for carers. All updates are sent to the student’s college email address.

Helpful resource links for evidence examples

• Vulnerable Bursary Evidence Examples
• Looked After Child Letter
• Care Leaver Letter
• Universal Credit Example
• ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) and DLA (Disability Living Allowance) or PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
• Household Income Examples
• Income Support
• ESA (Employment and Support Allowance)
• JSA (Job Seekers Allowance)
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• NASS (Home Office Letter)
• Tax Credit Award Letter
• Housing Benefit/ Council Tax Letter
• Employment
• Self Employment
• Private Pension
• No Income
• Other Evidence Examples
• Proof the Child is in Students Care
• Transport Receipts
• Proof of Purchases