A green piggy bank rests on a white floor, embodying the financial support and reassurance offered by B&FC.

Financial Support for School Leavers

Right from the start, our friendly staff and advisers provide expert information, advice and guidance to give you the best learning experience possible.

Apply for Support

Financial Support available

Students aged 16-18 don't pay course fees. And you may be entitled to the following financial and wellbeing support.


FREE lunch[1]
FREE Blackpool Transport travel pass[1]
FREE circular bus service linking Bispham Campus with Poulton-le-Fylde
FREE healthy breakfast every morning at College
Help with accommodation costs (if you need to move away to study)[1]
Help with childcare costs[1]
A Vulnerable Bursary of up to £1,200, and FREE meals, if you’re in care or receiving certain benefits[1]
Specialist learning support if you have a disability or learning/mental health difficulty (also available remotely)
Personal Progress Tutor to provide ongoing support
Low-cost membership of our Inspirations gym
Low-cost hair and beauty treatments
Confidential counselling
FREE careers service


[1] Eligibility rules apply – please read our 16-19 Financial Support Policy and Procedure (FE Students).

Student Support & Wellbeing

At B&FC we offer a comprehensive range of support services aimed at helping you reach your full potential.

Explore full range of Support Services
  • FREE Blackpool Transport travel pass
  • Help with childcare costs
  • Vulnerable Bursary of up to £1,200

Financial Support for Students aged 16-18 years - 2024/25

A range of financial support is available from B&FC depending on your personal circumstances.

If your household earnings, before tax, is £30,810 or less, or you are in receipt of means-tested benefit, you may be eligible for support. The types of support funds available are described below.

You must attend 90% of your course to maintain eligibility for your funding.

Please apply using the PayMyStudent Online Portal.
 

Travel

A free Blackpool Transport Bus/Tram pass is available to those living 1.5 miles away from their main campus of study.

If you live outside the Blackpool Transport area, you can apply for a travel bursary.

T Level students travelling to work placements outside the Blackpool Transport area can also apply for a travel bursary.
 

FREE Shuttle Bus

We offer a complimentary shuttle bus service to Bispham Campus - from and to Poulton-le-Fylde train station, with stops in between.

B&FC Shuttle Bus Timetable
 

FREE Lunch

Students can access a free lunch eVoucher for each day you are timetabled to attend college. This can be exchanged at the college's internal food outlets when you are on campus.

If you are on a work placement, you can use your lunch eVoucher at any of the following stores - Sainsburys, Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, M&S Food, Waitrose, Aldi, and Farmfoods.

Study Support

Our dedicated Progress Coaches work to ensure all our students, bot academically and personally, have the best chance of success.

View available Study Support

Course Expenses

Help may be available with the cost of approved items for your course, such as kit, uniform, and trips. Each situation is considered on a case-by-case basis. Please speak to an Adviser to find out more.

You can borrow a laptop free of charge from Bispham, UC and Fleetwood LRCs using the self-service - iLockerz. They are one day loans whilst you are on campus only.

Many PCs are available at all campuses for student use.
 

Childcare

If you are a parent under 20 on 31 August 2024, please apply direct online for the Care to Learn Scheme.

The maximum weekly contribution is £180 per child, for term time, this applies to timetabled sessions only.

You must use an Ofsted registered childcare provider that accepts the free 15 and 30 hours funding for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. If your child qualifies for the free 15 hours these must be used for the childcare required when attending college.

B&FC will contribute towards the outstanding hours.


If you are in receipt of the childcare elements of tax credits / universal credit, we are unable to fund your childcare.
 

Childcare costs can only be paid from the start of the half term in which your application is approved.
 

16-18 Vulnerable Bursary

If you are aged 16-18 on 31 August 2024, and you describe your student status as one of the categories below, you will be assessed for the vulnerable bursary.

This is funding up to the maximum of £1,200, available to help pay for college related costs such as free lunches, kit, uniform, bus pass and trips.

You will need to attend a meeting with an Adviser to discuss your individual financial needs and you are welcome to bring someone with you.

You may be eligible for the Vulnerable Bursary if you are:
  • In care (classed as a child looked after by the local authority)
  • Care leaver (classed as a care leaver by the local authority)
  • In receipt of Universal Credit, financially supporting yourself, living independently, or within a family unity and any dependents
  • In receipt of DLA/PIP and UC/ESA in your own right
Learning Resource Centres

Our Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) offer excellent facilities and are equipped with everything you need to help you study and succeed.

Explore our LRCs

How to Apply - 2024/25

Before you start your application using the PayMyStudent Portal:

  1. Enrol for your course at B&FC
  2. Ensure that you can access your college email
  3. Have your Bank Account details ready
  4. Register on Pay My Student (You may have to wait 24 hours after enrolment for your college email to be recognised by the system)
  5. Complete the relevant sections of the online form
  6. Upload your evidence
  7. Review your application - have you completed all the sections?
  8. Sign the declaration
  9. Click Submit
     

What's Next?

Within 3 working days you will receive a letter via your college email stating whether your application on Pay My Student has been successful and what financial support you are entitled to.

The time taken to process applications may be longer during busy periods.
 

Need Help with Pay My Student?

Visit our PayMyStudent page for web-based guides and 'How to' videos.

Don't hesitate to get in touch, one of our friendly advisers will be happy to help.

Call: 01253 504474
Email: careers@blackpool.ac.uk
 
If you need help in person:

During the enrolment period at Bispham Campus (August / September) please go to the Career Team helpdesk.

If you study at Bispham Campus or the University Centre, come and find the Careers Team in Reception.

If you study at Seasiders Learning Centre, please speak to your Student Support Officer.

If you study at Bickerstaffe House or Gateway Campus, please visit reception and you will be directed to the appropriate team.
 

Please note:

Funding is restricted, based on need and eligibility, and cannot be guaranteed. This information is updated regularly but we cannot guarantee that the detail will remain accurate, as Government policy often requires changes to how we operate.

Read our Financial Support Appeals Policy and Procedure FE Student 24-25 for more information.

School Liaison

The College and School Liaison Team helps young people make informed choices about their future - matching study routes to needs and career ambitions.

Meet the School Liaison Team

International Students

EU/EEA Citizens

If you are an EU/EEA citizen you will need to bring evidence of your settled / pre-settled status with you to enrol.

At enrolment you can provide us with your share code or evidence of the outcome of your application for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Non EU/EEA Citizens

You will need to bring your passport and current visa with you when you enrol.

Full details of fees and payment information for international students can be found in our International Student Fees Policy 2024-25.
 

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your financial support application, please get in touch. Our friendly advisers are here to help.

Please visit the reception at the campus of your study and you will be directed to the appropriate team, otherwise contact us by:

Call: 01253 504177 press option 1
Email: ssfunds@blackpool.ac.uk
International Students

If you're an International Student, your course fees, along with your examination and examination fees, are payable in full before the start of your course.

More for International Students

Save the Date

At every B&FC Open Event, our Financial Support advisers will be available to discuss your options and all the available support you can expect throughout your learning journey.

Register for an Open Event