FAQs: The John Leggott College Financial Support Package Explained

Navigating the financial side of further education can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. At John Leggott College (JLC), we are committed to providing students with the advice and support needed to ensure that financial hurdles never stand in the way of your learning.

The 16-19 Financial Support Scheme exists to help students continue with and complete their qualifications where they might otherwise face financial barriers. This comprehensive FAQ guide details exactly how the funds operate, who can apply, and how to secure your funding for the upcoming academic year.

How do I qualify for financial assistance at John Leggott College?

What are the household income thresholds for the JLC bursary?

You may be eligible to receive financial support if you can provide official evidence of either a net annual household income under £40,000 or current receipt of Universal Credit. Every application is evaluated on a strict case-by-case basis to tailor support to your exact needs.

Can students over the age of 19 apply for this funding?

Yes. While the scheme primarily targets 16 to 19-year-olds, older students can access this support under two specific conditions:

• If you are a 19+ student who holds a current Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).

• If you are a 19+ student continuing on a course that you originally commenced before turning 19.

What are the qualifying criteria for Free School Meals?

Which benefits qualify a household for free meals on campus?

To receive free school meals at JLC, you or your parent must currently receive one of the following specific state benefits:

• Income Support.

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance.

• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA).

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit.

• Universal Credit.

• Working Tax Credit run-on, which is paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

• Child Tax Credit, provided you do not also receive Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190 as assessed by HMRC.

Can I get a discretionary bursary if my income is over £40,000 but I receive Universal Credit?

No. Households with a net income exceeding £40,000 who claim Universal Credit will still receive Free School Meals based on national criteria, but they are explicitly excluded from accessing any additional discretionary bursary items.

What expenses does the JLC discretionary bursary cover?

Will the college help pay for my travel and bus pass?

Yes. If you qualify for the discretionary bursary and live more than 3 miles walking distance from the college campus, the fund will cover the cost of your regional bus pass. 

What other daily campus costs are covered by the fund?

The discretionary bursary is designed to alleviate a wide range of day-to-day academic expenses. Depending on fund availability, it can cover:

• The standard daily JLC Campus Charge.

• A daily meal allowance for use on campus.

• Full loan access to a college Chromebook or tablet for the duration of the academic year.

• Essential student stationery and specific course-related materials.

Can I request extra funding for trips, music lessons, or UCAS fees?

Yes. JLC will review additional funding requests on an individual basis to help cover specialised costs. This includes support for essential educational trips or visits, course-required music lessons, mandatory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and your official UCAS application fee.

How do the Vulnerable Groups and Care to Learn bursaries work?

Who qualifies for the Vulnerable Groups Bursary of up to £1,200?

This fund provides up to £1,200 per year to directly support students with day-to-day living costs alongside their learning expenses. To be eligible for this targeted fund, you must be a student who is:

• In the care of the Local Authority or living with foster parents.

• A care leaver aged 16, 17, or 18.

• Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in your own name.

• Disabled and receiving both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (or Personal Independence Payment) in your own name.

Note: Eligible vulnerable learners can access these funds alongside the discretionary bursary, giving them equal access to the standard travel, meal, and equipment provisions.

What childcare support is available via Care to Learn?

Young parents who are under 20 years old at the start of their course can receive up to £180 per week, per child. 

This funding helps cover childcare costs and extra travel expenses incurred by using childcare. The child must attend an approved provider, and funds are paid directly to that provider. This assistance only covers hours spent at college, meaning payments vary based on your weekly attendance.

How do I complete the financial assistance application?

Where do I apply and how do I register my account?

Applications are processed entirely online via the JLC website https://www.leggott.ac.uk/financial-support

First-time users must select the Register option and input their date of birth and Student ID number. If you do not know your ID number, email studentservices@leggott.ac.uk before registering. 

After submitting, check your inbox and junk folder for an activation email to verify your account.

What happens if I forget to request childcare help on my initial form?

You must explicitly answer yes to the childcare questions when filling out the form. Support for these expenses cannot be approved or applied retrospectively if the college is unaware that you require it.

Do I get my travel pass automatically once my bursary is approved?

No. You must apply for financial assistance and your college bus pass completely separately. An approval for financial aid will not automatically generate or submit an application for a bus pass.

What specific documents must I upload as evidence?

How do I submit my Universal Credit statements?

You must upload full official statements covering the last 3 consecutive months. Log into your online Universal Credit account, click into each month to open the statement completely, and download the full document as a PDF file. If you cannot download the PDF, you may submit clear screenshots of all pages.

What documentation is required for other household income types?

To avoid processing delays, ensure all uploaded documents clearly show the account holder's name and payment details. Prepare your evidence as follows:

• Payslips: Provide your most recent consecutive payslips. This means 12 payslips if you are paid weekly, 6 payslips for fortnightly pay, or 3 payslips for monthly pay.

• Tax Credits: Upload every page of your 2026/27 Tax Credit Award Notice or your complete Tax Credit Review for the year ending 2025/26.

• Self-Employed Income: Submit your complete end-of-year Tax Return for the 2025/26 financial period.

• State Benefits or Pensions: Provide an official award letter detailing payments received from April 2026 onwards (covers ESA, Income Support, JSA, Carers Allowance, Bereavement Benefit, or state/private pensions).

• Child Support: Submit your most recent CSA award letter or a signed private written statement confirming the specific amount and frequency of your payments.

When is the final deadline to submit my JLC bursary application?

Because every household application requires individual verification and a manual needs assessment, the student services team encourage a deadline of 31st July 2026. However, applications can be submitted after the 31st July, but we encouage to have the funding in place before college term starts to ensure a smoother process.