Hull Training and Adult Education (HTAE) receive allocations of funds from the Department for Education (DfE) to support eligible students to meet the costs of participating in education. HTAE sets its criteria for eligibility to bursary funding in accordance with the guidelines provided by the DfE. Eligible students will be required to show supporting evidence that they meet the required criteria.
HTAE will provide information during recruitment processes on bursaries available and publish this Bursary Policy on the HTAE website.
- Evidence of entitlement must be provided each academic year
- Bursary application forms are available to all learners
- Learners who have difficulty completing the bursary forms can speak to their tutor for support
- Apprentices are not eligible for a bursary award
- Should an applicant withdraw from their chosen course of study and decide to leave Hull Training and Adult Education, they may be required to return equipment supplied/bought through the bursary fund, if equipment isn't returned a charge up to the amount of the equipment bought may be applied
- Bursary notification letters/emails are sent to learners confirming their award from the bursary fund and how this will be provided
- No awards will be made until a learner is fully enrolled on their course (awards cannot be made when a learner’s enrolment status is “provisional”)
- All awards are subject to acceptable behaviour standards and meeting minimum attendance criteria as set out in the award letter
- If applications are not successful learners are notified by letter or email
- Learners have the right to appeal, if their application is refused or the award is withheld. Learners must submit any appeal in writing (via letter or email), within 10 working days of receiving notification of refusal. Additional information will be required to support any appeal
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is based on age, residence and household income. Hull Training and Adult Education eligibility criteria is reviewed and updated annually based on the published guidelines for that year. Full eligibility criteria and maximum levels of support are included on Hull Training and Adult Education website. The 16-19 Bursary Fund and 19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund are means-tested, applicants will be required to provide evidence to verify total household income. It is the responsibility of the learner and their carers or parents to make Hull Training and Adult Education aware of any change in circumstance which may affect their entitlement to the bursary funds.
16-19 Bursary Awards
Bursaries For Students In Defined Vulnerable Groups (“Vulnerable Learner Bursary”)
The bursary for vulnerable groups can pay up to £1,200 per year to a student participating on a study programme that lasts for 30 weeks or more if they need that amount of support. Students on study programmes of less than 30 weeks should be paid a pro rata amount, as appropriate based on an assessment of their actual needs. Students should only receive the amount they actually need to participate, and we will not automatically award students £1,200 if they do not need the full amount. This includes young people who are -
- in Care
- care leavers
- receiving Income Support (IS), or Universal Credit (UC) because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner
- receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in their own right
Learners will need to provide up to date evidence to confirm receipt of benefits, or a recent letter from Social Services confirming their care status.
The Vulnerable Learner Bursary is paid weekly; learners are issued with guidance notes to explain the procedure in case of authorised absences. Bank details will need to be provided.
16-18 Discretionary Bursary
Any learners with a household income of less than £38,000 will be eligible to apply for discretionary support. This may include assistance in terms of travel, trips, books and equipment.
Books and Equipment
- 16 - 18 learners are eligible for support for essential equipment, this may include uniform (PPE), books or kits.
- Procedures are in place to recover equipment if the student leaves the course prior to completion.
- Items requested by students that have not been verified as essential by the relevant course tutor will not be awarded.
- 16 - 18 learners maybe eligible for the provision of a laptop, if this supports their studies. Applications for laptops are via the main bursary application form.
- Learners can only receive one laptop during their studies.
- Learners are expected to look after and maintain their laptop and no replacements for lost or damaged equipment will be made without a written appeal (and approval).
- Learners are expected to follow ICT policies including the e-Safety policy.
Travel assistance
- Travel assistance can include the cost of a bus pass up to the value of £25 per week. (the learner must live over 1.5 miles away from the training centre)
- HTAE will require a full annual projection of travel costs for each learner.
- All learners or their carers/parents/guardians must complete a Bursary application form with evidence of their benefits for example, Personal Independence Payment (PIP)/Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Free Meals In Further Education
Students are entitled to free meals if they live are 16-18 at the start of their programme and live in a household that is the receipt of the benefits listed below:
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Income‑related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (asylum support)
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
and
- They are aged 16-18
- Aged 19-25 with a valid EHCP at the beginning of the academic year
A student is only eligible to receive a free meal when they, or a responsible adult on their behalf, have made a successful application to HTAE.
Households in receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guaranteed element of Pension Credit may also be entitled to a meal.
The Government provide free meals funding for days learners attend study or activity that is part of their course. (i.e., work experience) at £2.66 per meal.
Free meals in further education funded institutions guide: academic year 2026 to 2027 - GOV.UK
Care To Learn (Childcare For Learners Under 20)
- Students aged under 20 at the start of the academic year need to apply for support with childcare costs through the” Care to Learn scheme “.
- Where funding is awarded towards the cost of childcare with a registered provider. Funds will be paid to a third party only. The third party must be OFSTED registered.
- Students must use their free childcare funding towards the cost of the childcare.
- In order to be eligible for childcare funding students must have an approved bursary application, be active on their course, be enrolled on a full level qualification and have no other childcare support available.
- The amount of funding available for childcare is limited