Parents and carers
Hills Road Sixth Form College is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming community where all students are enabled to meet their full potential and are respected as individuals.
Parents and carers
Bursary Fund
2026-27 Bursary Fund and Free School Meals
The Hills Road Bursary Fund provides government funding to help students with the essential costs of studying at college. The purpose of the fund is to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent students from participating fully in their education.
Students only need to complete one application. The College will assess eligibility and determine the appropriate level of support, in line with government guidance.
Who can apply?
You can apply for support from the Bursary Fund if any one or more of the circumstances below apply to you.
You may be eligible if your total annual take home household income is below £35,000.
Household income includes:
- Earnings after tax and National Insurance
- Benefits (e.g. Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Tax Credits)
- Maintenance payments received
- Income from self-employment, rental income or dividends
Support from the Bursary Fund is awarded on a sliding scale. This means that students from lower income households are normally able to receive a higher proportion of the costs they apply for, subject to a maximum annual award of £1,200 per student.
A percentage of funding refers to the proportion of the eligible costs applied for (for example, transport), not an automatic cash award.
| Total take-home household income | Less than £25,000 per annum |
|---|---|
| Amount of funding | 100% |
| Total take-home household income | Between £25,000 and £27,500 |
|---|---|
| Amount of funding | 80% |
| Total take-home household income | Between £27,500 and £30,000 |
|---|---|
| Amount of funding | 60% |
| Total take-home household income | Between £30,000 and £32,500 |
|---|---|
| Amount of funding | 40% |
| Total take-home household income | Between £32,500 and £35,000 |
|---|---|
| Amount of funding | 20% |
| Total take-home household income | More than £35,000 |
|---|---|
| Amount of funding | 0% |
Students from larger families (three or more dependent children) may be moved up one band to reflect higher household costs.
You may also apply if you are not normally eligible, but have experienced a sudden or exceptional change in financial circumstances, such as:
- Parental unemployment or reduced income
- Bereavement
- Other significant changes affecting household finances
In these cases, applications will be considered on an individual basis.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to apply. The Bursary Fund team can advise you.
Household income is assessed using recent financial information to reflect your current circumstances.
Applicants will normally be asked to provide:
- The most recent 3 months of payslips (or fewer if employment has recently started)
- The most recent 3 months of Universal Credit statements
- Recent benefit award notices (dated within the last 3 months)
- For self-employment, the most recent tax return and/or up-to-date accounts, plus any recent evidence of current earnings
If your financial circumstances change, you must request a reassessment. We may also carry out periodic checks to ensure continued eligibility.
Free College Meals
Free College Meals are a separate entitlement but are closely linked to bursary support. Those that are eligible receive weekly assistance with the cost of food, helping to ensure all students can focus on learning and fully participate in college life.
From the start of the 2026–27 academic year, students will be eligible for Free College Meals if they or their parents/carers are in receipt of Universal Credit at the point of application, regardless of earnings.
You may also be eligible if you or your parents/carers receive one or more of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income‑based Jobseeker’s 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 you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit run‑on (paid for four weeks after eligibility for Working Tax Credit ends)
Eligibility is assessed in line with national government criteria.
How and when to apply
- Students starting in September are encouraged to apply now.
- Applications can be made before enrolment, during the academic year, or if circumstances change.
- If eligibility is confirmed later, support can usually be backdated to the start of the most recent term subject to the appropriate evidence of eligible costs.
Applicants will be required to provide evidence of income, benefits and circumstances. Submitting complete documentation helps avoid delays.
Conditions of receiving support
Students receiving support from the Bursary Fund are expected to:
- Maintain acceptable attendance and punctuality
- Follow the College Code of Conduct
- Continue to meet the eligibility criteria under which support was awarded
If these conditions are not met, eligibility for current or future support may be reviewed.
Providing false or incomplete information may result in:
- Payments being adjusted or stopped
- Any overpayment being recovered
Assessment, appeals and support
Applications are assessed by the Bursary team, and, where appropriate, college staff.
If an application is unsuccessful, students may appeal through the Bursary Fund team. Appeals will be reviewed by the Vice Principal (Student Progression & Support), whose decision is final.
Need help?
If you need help applying, are unsure what evidence to provide, or have complex circumstances, please contact:
We are happy to support you through the process.
