Financial Support
Bursary Funding
The College has access to a number of Bursary funds aimed at supporting students with specific financial difficulties which may prevent them from taking part in learning. Eligibility for the funds will be based on household income, and recent evidence of this must be submitted with your application. Bursary applications can be made online.
PLEASE NOTE – Higher Education courses, Full Cost courses and Apprenticeships are not eligible for the college bursary. If your course is HE, you will need to apply for support through Student Finance England. Further details are available via the following link https://www.gov.uk/get-undergraduate-student-loan
Click below to view further financial support options tailored to your age and course:
14-18 SCHOOL LEAVERS
Vulnerable Bursary (16-18 Years Only)
Students from the following categories are entitled to this bursary:
• In Care (including unaccompanied Asylum Seekers)
• A Care Leaver
• In receipt of Income Support/Universal Credit
• In receipt of Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment
16-18 Discretionary Learning Support Fund
Provides financial help towards the cost of travel expenses (if you live more than 1.3 miles from the College) and lunch vouchers (for eligible students).
16-19 Childcare
Funded through the government’s Care to Learn scheme, with a maximum weekly threshold of £180 per child. Click here to apply for the Application for Care to Learn Scheme.
External Grants and Funding
The College engages with a number of external charities and trusts in sourcing financial and other support for students who meet specific eligibility criteria. Previous students have access funding from the Pinecone Trust, Shepherd Street Trust, United Utilities Trust Fund and the Helena Kennedy Foundation.
Free College Meals
Students can access free College meals if aged between 16–18 years old (excluding apprentices) at the start of their course, and if they or their parents are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
• Income Support
• Income based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act (1999)
• The guarantee element of 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 HMRC
• Working Tax Credit run on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit*
*Universal Credit – From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all students from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free meal.
If you are aged 19 and continuing on the same study programme that you started before you turned 19, or are aged 19-24 and have a current Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you could also be eligible.
To apply please speak to your Student Manager or visit Student Services.
Transport
The cost of bus passes for 16-18 year old students are dependent on the student’s home address/bus company operating area. Further subsidies are also available, subject to eligibility and income thresholds.
19+ learners can apply to the 19+ Bursary fund for financial assistance with the cost of the bus pass, if eligible.
CHILDCARE FUNDING
Childcare Funding for Learners Aged 20+
The Bursary Fund can help to subsidise childcare costs for eligible learners aged 20+. Eligibility for funding is dependent on household income. A maximum childcare amount of £240 per week per child is available.
To apply you must first complete a Bursary Application online. Once you have completed this, please fill in the Childcare Subsidy application below.
If your programme of study requires a period of compulsory work experience you will need to apply for this separately by completing the Childcare Work Placement Form. Any assistance with this will be subject to available funds.
Childcare Change of Circumstances
If you already have an approved childcare subsidy application, but would like to amend the days/ fees which the college funds, please complete the Childcare Change of Circumstances Form below.
Care to Learn – Childcare Funding for Learners Aged 16-19
Care to Learn provides funding for childcare to help young parents aged 16-19. The maximum amount of funding available is £180 per child per week.
ADULTS (19+)
We’re committed to making adult education accessible and affordable. Depending on your
circumstances, residency status, and course choice, you may be eligible for partial or full funding.
As Lancashire moves to a devolved system under the Lancashire Combined Council Authority
(LCCA), funding arrangements for 2026/27 are not yet confirmed and therefore are subject to
change. Until confirmation is received, the information provided below should be regarded as
indicative only. Funding is usually only available to eligible individuals who live in residence within a
Lancashire postcode. Please call 01772 225522 to confirm your eligibility.
Our commitment, however, remains the same – to help you maximise your entitlements, with our
advisors guiding you through your options once final funding guidance has been published.
EMPLOYED
You may be able to get your course fully funded if you’re working (employed or self-employed), studying up to Level 2, and earning under £25,750 a year. This is based on your own (gross) salary. For certain Level 3 courses, you could also receive full funding if you earn less than £29,431 a year. If you’re aged 19 to 23 and don’t yet have a full Level 3 qualification, you might still get funding for certain courses, even if you earn above this amount. If funding isn’t available, you may be able to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan instead.
NOT CURRENTLY EMPLOYED
If you are currently unemployed and receiving an eligible state benefit, you may be able to receive full funding for tuition fees on courses up to Level 3. Eligible benefits include Universal Credit, Jobseekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, with other benefits considered depending on your individual
circumstances. Full funding may also be available if you are under formal redundancy consultation. If you are not claiming benefits but are actively seeking work, related to your course, you may still be eligible for funding.
LEGAL ENTITLEMENTS
Individuals aged 19+ may be fully funded for English and maths courses from Entry Level up to Level 2, if you have not already achieved a GCSE (or equivalent) at grade 4 or functional skills at Level 2. Individuals aged 19+ may be fully funded for digital skills courses from Entry Level up to Level 1, subject to your assessment being below Level 1. Individuals aged 19-23 who have not previously achieved a full Level 2 or full Level 3 may be fully funded, regardless of the earnings threshold or employment status, if the course has an eligible legal entitlement status.
LIFELONG LEARNING ENTITLEMENT (LLE)
If you are looking to study certain Level 4 to Level 6 courses or modules that commence from January 2027, you may be eligible to apply for Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) funding. Under the LLE, eligible students will be able to access a funding entitlement of up to £39,160, based on the maximum tuition fee for the 2026–2027 academic year. You will be able to view and manage your loan balance through your personal Student Finance account, with the Student Loans Company
ADVANCED LEARNER LOANS
Where funding is not available for some Level 3 courses, and where you are eligible, you could apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your tuition fees. Loan eligibility does not depend on your income, nor are there any credit checks, and you will not have to pay anything back until you are earning over £25,000. For loans taken for the academic year 2026/27.
Please refer to Student Finance England for repayment guidance
FINANCIAL SUPPORT PACKAGES
Depending on your individual circumstances you may be eligible to receive financial support in the form of a bursary, towards your travel expenses and childcare. Our Advisors will work with you to determine all available financial support.
PAYING FOR YOUR COURSE
If your chosen course costs £120 or more, you can choose to pay in instalments by direct debits. To pay by instalments, your payments must be a minimum of £20 per month, and a minimum of three direct debits. Your first payment will be made when you enrol, with further payments taken on the first day of the month. If you wish, you can also choose to pay by cash*
*Cash is limited to a maximum of £250.
EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP
If your employer is sponsoring your course, please provide their details and we will arrange to invoice them directly. This payment option will be discussed and confirmed with you before enrolment to ensure everything is in place prior to starting your course.
Transport
Students aged 19+ may be eligible to apply for the 19+ Bursary Fund to receive financial support towards the cost of a bus pass.
CHILDCARE FUNDING
Childcare Funding for Learners Aged 20+
The Bursary Fund can help to subsidise childcare costs for eligible learners aged 20+. Eligibility for funding is dependent on household income. A maximum childcare amount of £240 per week per child is available.
To apply you must first complete a Bursary Application online. Once you have completed this, please fill in the Childcare Subsidy application below.
If your programme of study requires a period of compulsory work experience you will need to apply for this separately by completing the Childcare Work Placement Form. Any assistance with this will be subject to available funds.
Childcare Change of Circumstances
If you already have an approved childcare subsidy application, but would like to amend the days/ fees which the college funds, please complete the Childcare Change of Circumstances Form below.
Care to Learn – Childcare Funding for Learners Aged 16-19
Care to Learn provides funding for childcare to help young parents aged 16-19. The maximum amount of funding available is £180 per child per week.
UNIVERSITY CENTRE (HE)
At Preston College, we recognise that committing to higher education is a significant decision and that funding arrangements are an important part of planning your studies. National student finance arrangements are evolving, and over the next two academic years there will be two funding routes in operation depending on your course start date and delivery model.
Courses starting in September 2026 (current funding system)
Students enrolling on full qualifications starting in September 2026 will continue to access the current Higher Education student finance system. There are no upfront tuition fee payments required. Eligible students can apply to the Student Loans Company for a tuition fee loan, which is paid directly to the College. Repayments only begin once your income exceeds the national repayment threshold.
Eligible students may also apply for a maintenance loan to support living costs. This is paid directly to your bank account at the start of each term. Tuition fee and maintenance loans are repayable and subject to national repayment rules and thresholds.
Tuition fees vary by course — please check individual course pages for confirmed fee levels.
Courses starting from January 2027 and September 2027 onwards (Lifelong Learning Entitlement)
From January 2027 onwards, some higher education courses including modular and flexible provision are expected to be funded through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). Under the LLE system, eligible learners will be able to apply for loan funding for individual modules as well as full qualifications, supporting more flexible study patterns across a working lifetime.
Further details on how LLE funding applies to specific Preston College programmes will be published as national guidance and systems are finalised.
Fees and charges
The College sets and publishes tuition fees for all higher education provision in line with national guidance and regulatory requirements. Full details are available on the HE Fees & Charges page and in the College Fees Policy. Always refer to your chosen course page for the most up-to-date fee information.
Additional financial support
Depending on your circumstances and study intensity, additional support may be available, including:
- Childcare Grants (full-time students)
- Parents’ Learning Allowance
- Adult Dependants’ Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance
- Other targeted support funds where eligible
Each scheme has specific eligibility criteria, which should be checked before applying.
Loan repayment
Repayment of tuition fee and maintenance loans is income-contingent. Repayments begin from the April after you finish or leave your course, and only once your earnings exceed the national threshold. Repayments are automatically calculated based on income.
For the most up-to-date national guidance on student finance and repayment, refer to official government student finance information.
Access to Higher Education funding
Eligible students aged 19 or over studying an approved Access to Higher Education Diploma may apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. If you successfully complete your Access course and then complete a recognised higher education qualification, the outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balance for the Access course is written off under current national rules.
EU and international eligibility
Student finance eligibility for EU and other international applicants depends on residency status and current government regulations. Applicants should review the latest national guidance before applying.
Links to publicly available guidance
Student finance for courses starting on or after 1 January 2027
General overview of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)
Student Finance LLE Guidance
Advanced Learner Loan eligibility guidance (for Access & other FE courses)
Advanced Learner Loan details (UCAS summary)
Maintenance loans for living costs under LLE funding Â
Student finance help and general guidance for 2026/27
CHILDCARE FUNDING
Childcare Funding for Learners Aged 20+
The Bursary Fund can help to subsidise childcare costs for eligible learners aged 20+. Eligibility for funding is dependent on household income. A maximum childcare amount of £240 per week per child is available.
To apply you must first complete a Bursary Application online. Once you have completed this, please fill in the Childcare Subsidy application below.
If your programme of study requires a period of compulsory work experience you will need to apply for this separately by completing the Childcare Work Placement Form. Any assistance with this will be subject to available funds.
Childcare Change of Circumstances
If you already have an approved childcare subsidy application, but would like to amend the days/ fees which the college funds, please complete the Childcare Change of Circumstances Form below.
Care to Learn – Childcare Funding for Learners Aged 16-19
Care to Learn provides funding for childcare to help young parents aged 16-19. The maximum amount of funding available is £180 per child per week.