Safeguarding

Higher Education Bursary Guidance

What is the Higher Education Bursary?

For the 2024-25 academic year, South Thames Colleges Group (STCG) is offering Higher Education (HE) Bursaries to first year undergraduate students in the following categories:

Internal Progression/ School Leaver Bursary

STCG will pay a bursary to support students progressing from any of the Colleges within STCG from a Level 3 or Access course to one of STCG’s full-time Higher Education courses starting in September 2024. Or to support students from non-selective state schools within:

  • The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames;
  • The London Borough of Croydon
  • The London Borough of Lambeth
  • The London Borough of Merton
  • The London Borough of Sutton
  • The London Borough of Wandsworth
  • The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and
  • The Borough of Elmbridge

progressing onto one of STCG’s full-time Higher Education courses starting in September 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Progression Bursary or the School Leaver Bursary you must:

  • Either be progressing from one of STCG’s Level 3 or Access courses or from a school/college within the boroughs listed above;
  • Hold a firm offer to study at one of STCG’s full-time Higher Education courses starting in September 2024;
  • Have applied for the full amount of student finance available to you – the maintenance loan and tuition fee loan for UK students; tuition fee loan only for EU students;
  • Have a household income assessed by Student Finance England of £25,000 or less;
  • Have not studied at university level previously;
  • Neither of your parents should hold a university-level qualification. By this we mean that neither parent holds a degree-level qualification.

This bursary of £500 is paid as a cash bursary in the first year.

Disabled Students Bursary

STCG will offer a bursary to Disabled Students studying at one of the colleges within STCG.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Disabled Students Bursary you must:

  • Hold a firm offer to study at one of STCG’s full-time Higher Education courses starting in September 2024;
  • Have applied for the full amount of student finance available to you – the maintenance loan and tuition fee loan for UK students; tuition fee loan only for EU students;
  • Have a household income assessed by Student Finance England of £25,000 or less;
  • Have not studied at university level previously;
  • Have evidence of the award of Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

This bursary of £500 is paid as a cash bursary in the first year.

Care Leavers Bursary

STCG will offer a bursary to care leavers studying at one of the colleges within STCG.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Care Leavers Bursary you must:

  • Hold a firm offer to study at one of South Thames Colleges Group's full-time Higher Education courses starting in September 2024;
  • Have applied for the full amount of student finance available to you – the maintenance loan and tuition fee loan for UK students; tuition fee loan only for EU students;
  • Have a household income assessed by Student Finance England of £25,000 or less;
  • Have not studied at university level previously;
  • Be a Care Leaver

This bursary of £500 is paid as a cash bursary in the first year.

Please note:

  • These are limited funds and so applicants must meet ALL eligibility criteria;
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee funding;
  • Students cannot be awarded more than one bursary;
  • Bursaries will not be available to students who have previously received a bursary.

How do I apply for support through the Higher Education Progression Bursary?

  1. Complete the online application form, answering all questions in full.
  2. Include in your supporting statement why you’ve chosen your course, career aspirations and why STCG should invest in you.
  3. Provide evidence of meeting the eligibility criteria.

What Happens Next?

The closing date for applications is  17 October 2024. Applications will be assessed and a decision will be made by November 2024. We will write to let you know the results, and should you be successful, details of the award.

Can I appeal against the decision?

You do have the right to appeal. If you wish to appeal, please refer to the College appeals process, available on the College website.

How will I be paid?

The relevant bursary amount will be paid directly into your nominated bank account, so you MUST have an account in your own name.

 

The Higher Education Bursary 2024-25 Application Form

Please note: you must provide evidence of your date of birth and address to confirm this information. Your application will only be considered if you have completed and signed this form and provided evidence to confirm eligibility.

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Course Information

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Bank Details for Payments (this Bank account must be in your own name)

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Please note: to apply for the Higher Education Bursaries you will be asked to provide evidence of meeting the eligibility criteria. Evidence can include but is not limited to: proof of address; proof of maintenance loan application; and proof of household income as assessed by Student Finance. Care leavers must have status disclosed on their UCAS application.

Applications without relevant supporting evidence will NOT be considered.

Please read the below and tick to confirm that you meet ALL eligibility criteria for your selected bursary:

Internal Progression Bursary eligibility criteria







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Disabled Students Bursary eligibility criteria





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Care Leavers Bursary eligibility criteria





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Supporting Statement

Please use this space to explain your situation and why you feel you should be considered for this bursary. Include why you have chosen your higher education course and any career aspirations (continue overleaf if necessary):

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Declaration - Please tick to confirm agreement

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Please state that you have read and agree to our privacy policy.

By submitting this application you are agreeing to the terms set out above and you are signing to confirm that you agree to allow the information contained on the form to be shared with staff at South Thames Colleges Group. Your data protection rights are not affected.