Heart of Worcestershire College recognises that all students whether full or part time have financial demands on them attending college.
Financial support is available in a number of different ways providing you fulfil the eligibility requirements of each scheme.
Applications for financial support
You can apply for financial support through our college portal.
Follow our step by step guide on how to apply for financial support.
What could I be eligible for?
From bursaries, free meals, travel support and childcare to support with essential equipment and trips, simply download the PDF below to see what financial support you could be eligible for.
2025/26:
16-19 bursary fund:
What is the bursary?
The 16-19 bursary is a scheme to assist young people to continue in full-time education who may have difficulties in completing their course due to financial reasons.
Vulnerable Bursary:
Bursaries of up to £1,200 are available to Vulnerable Students (16-18) as defined by:
• Being in care or being a care leaver – Letter from local authority confirming status required.
• Student personally in receipt of universal credit – Evidence required.
• Being a disabled young person and in receipt of Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right – Evidence of both required.
Discretionary Bursary:
Students facing financial difficulties may also be able to request assistance with transport, mandatory equipment, meals, trips or other course related costs. Travel support is available to students who travel more than 1.5 miles to their main campus of study.
Due to the high volume of applications students are expected to cover their own transport costs up to half term, which will then be reimbursed if successfully awarded support.
If you need help, please contact Student Finance:
Bromsgrove/ Redditch - [email protected]
Worcester/ Malvern - [email protected]
Frequently asked questions:
If you have any questions, please read through our FAQ's.
The financial support application form is available on our website from July 2025.
Yes, the bursary fund is renewed every academic year. You will need to provide updated income evidence to support your application.
Apply for free college meals on the financial support form (link)
The meal allowance will be loaded onto your student ID badge daily which is then used at the till point at any of our onsite cafeterias. (Please note the meal allowance will not roll over).
Yes, students are required to purchase essential uniform and equipment for their course. Most items can be purchased through the online shop located within our website.
Essential uniform and equipment requirements will be distributed to students upon successful enrolment on the course via department.
You can apply for financial support with uniform and equipment costs on our financial support form.
Notify a member of the student finance team email addresses Redditch/Bromsgrove [email protected] and Worcester/Malvern [email protected] and include a statement within your financial support application. We will then discuss the options available to you if you are eligible for financial support.
Contact the student finance team on on 01527 572741 – Redditch and Bromsgrove and 01905 725676 Worcester/Malvern for support completing your application online or visit the advice centre for additional support.
It is a government requirement that payments are to be made to the applicant’s bank account (student).
We advise that you attempt to open your own bank account before submitting your application.
If you cannot open your own bank account, follow this link for information and eligibility of an appointee (insert gov web link) should you receive confirmation of an appointee we require this information as evidence.
Providing you are eligible for free travel support a travel contribution is available.
If you live in Worcestershire visit Severn Card Student Bus Pass scheme | Worcestershire County Council and follow the instruction online to register for a severn card. You will need to provide us with the reference number that is generated following the registration.
For non Worcestershire students you can contact the student finance team on 01527 572741 for further information.
Apply online at www.wmr.uk/students when the application is complete, please provide the photocard ID number to the student finance team.
You can contact the student finance team via the following email addresses Redditch/Bromsgrove [email protected] and Worcester/Malvern [email protected] so that we can discuss your options.
Unfortunately, all the car parks at our Worcester campus are privately owned so are therefore not covered by the bursary fund.
At the Redditch and Bromsgrove campuses parking is free for students, you MUST input the car registration on the system when logging in.
Unfortunately, we do not fund a taxi service.
You could be eligible via your local council.
Contributions can be made for travel and childcare costs if you are eligible, you are required to complete the application form (link to form or via online form)
This fund assists HE students with financial support in exceptional circumstances, Check your eligibility here (link to hardship leaflet)
The college will liaise with your childcare provider and make payments to them directly.
A childcare form will need to be completed by your childcare provider to support your financial support application.
Free meals (16-18 year olds)
Students who meet the criteria can claim one meal per day from college onsite cafes. Criteria is based on parents who are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related 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 they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC))
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- UC with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
All student requesting free meals must complete the Financial Support Application form and provide the relevant evidence.
Childcare:
Childcare is intended to assist young parents under the age of 20 to continue in, and return to, education after the birth of a child by providing funding for childcare whilst the young parent is engaged in a study programme.
Further information regarding how to apply is available at www.gov.uk/care-to-learn.
If further information is required, please contact the Advice Centre’s or call:
Bromsgrove/ Redditch - 01527 572741 or [email protected]
Worcester/ Malvern - 01527 725676/ 01905 725575 or [email protected]
19+ Discretionary Learner Support (DLS):
Students aged 19-23 at the start of their course studying up to a Level 3 Programme and student learners over 24 but studying a Programme up to a Level 2 can apply for support from the 19+ DLS fund. The DLS fund can help towards, travel, childcare, and trips.
If further information is required, please contact the Advice Centre’s or call:
Bromsgrove/ Redditch - 01527 572741 or [email protected]
Worcester/ Malvern - 01905 725676 or [email protected]
Advanced Learner Loans:
Are you aged 19 or over and thinking about Further Education?
You may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with your course fees. The loans are non means-tested so household income isn’t taken into account. You don’t pay anything back unless you are earning over £25,000.
For more information, visit Advanced Learner Loan: Overview - GOV.UK
19+ Advanced Learner Loan Bursary:
This bursary is available to students who have approved Advanced Learner loans in place. The fund may provide a contribution towards travel and childcare costs. Any essential equipment should be provided by the department. In exceptional cases students can request assistance with hardship.