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

Financial Support for Adult Learners

Studying towards your dream career has never been more affordable.

Apply for Support

Financial Support available

Most Level 2 and 3 courses are either free or have no upfront fees to pay...

If not, and you’re aged 19 or over studying an eligible level 3 course, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan - with nothing to pay upfront and no repayments until you’re earning at least £25,000 a year.


We also offer financial support you don’t need to pay back.
  • Most courses are FREE or have no upfront fees
  • Non-refundable bursaries and help with childcare costs for Adult Learners
  • Free or discounted 24/7 Blackpool Transport travel pass
My bus pass and laptop have been a great help. The bursary is good - it pays for books and other things you might need in College. The Careers and Finance Team fully supported me, I just had to bring some bank details in with evidence of my earnings. Talk to them - they'll do everything they can to get what you what you need.
- Darren Middleton, Professional Cookery

Advanced Learner Loan

If you are aged 19 or studying at Level 3, you can apply for and Advanced Learner Loan.
 

Nothing to pay upfront...

Getting the Adult Learner Loan doesn't depend on your household income and there's no credit check.

There's nothing to pay upfront and you don't have to pay anything back until you're earning over £25,000 a year (for 2024 course start dates).

Even then, you only pay back 9% of what you earn above this amount. After 40 years, your loan is written off entirely.
 

Roll your loans into one...

If you take out an Adult Learner Loan and later go on to do a degree, you can take out a separate student loan for this.

The two loans will then be rolled into one, meaning you only need to make one monthly repayment.

If your Adult Learner Loan is for an Access to Higher Education course and you go on to complete a degree, your Adult Learner Loan will get written off.


Read about the Terms and Conditions of an Advanced Learner Loan on GOV.UK.
Eligibility Check

Simply click on the link below, answer a few questions and find out in minutes if you qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. It could change your life!

Check if you're eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan

 

Applying for the Advanced Learner Loan

You need to apply for your chosen course first.

You will later receive a learning and funding information letter which you will need for your Adult Learner Loan application.

If you don't receive this letter, please contact the Admissions Team.

Call: 01253 504322
Email: admissions@blackpool.ac.uk
Student Support, Wellbeing & Inclusion

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

Non-Refundable Financial Support

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 meanstested 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.
 

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 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

We offer a range of study support services to help you get the most from your studies and realise your career goals.

View available Study Support

Course Expenses

You can apply for a bursary payment to help with course-related costs. This will help with the cost of approved items for your course, such as kit, uniform, and trips.

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.

If you are a parent aged 20 or over on 31 August 2024, please answer the relevant questions on the Pay My Student Portal.

The maximum weekly contribution is £180 per child, for term time, this applied 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.
 

Removing Barriers

If you are aged 19+, and require financial, or other support, to remove barriers associated with course related costs and expenses, we can provide help on a case-by-case basis.

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

Advanced Learner Loan Support Fund

If you are an Advanced Learner Loan funded student, you will need to have an approved loan before you can apply for Advanced Learner Loan financial support.
 

Hardship Fund

In exceptional circumstances, B&FC can access funding for students who find themselves facing financial hardship. Each situation is considered on a case-by-case basis. Please speak to an Adviser to find out more.

You cannot currently apply for this fund using PayMyStudent.
Learning Resources 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, so your email is 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 504425
Email: financesupport@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 Finance Support 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.

Exams & Achievements

Everything you need to know about Exams, Certificates, Awarding Bodies, Rules & Regulations, Re-marking and more.

About Exams & Achievements

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.
 

Support for Ukrainian Refugees

If you have entered the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, you may be eligible for financial support in the form of a bus pass worth £400 per year, free meals each day at college, free breakfast at college, financial support for equipment for your course and further support to enable you to attend your course.

If you are not sure whether you qualify for this support, please contact our Seasiders Learning Centre and we will be able to advise you.

Call: 01253 504690
Email: seasiderscourses@blackpool.ac.uk
 

Devolved Authorities and Funding

If you live in one of the areas listed below, you will not be eligible to receive funding on your Further Education course because the authority where you live has received the funding for residents of those areas.

The exception to this is where you are studying a course at Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 and you are taking out an Advanced Learner Loan to pay for your tuition fees.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Greater London
Greater Manchester
Liverpool City Region
North of Tyne
Sheffield City Region
Tees Valley
West Midlands
West of England
West Yorkshire

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 date of your course.

More for International Students

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 504425
Email: financesupport@blackpool.ac.uk

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