Funding available to Further Education students
The information on this web page is only applicable to students enrolled on the Art and Design Foundation Diploma. You will not be eligible to apply for the national funding package provided to undergraduate students studying at degree level.
16–19 Bursary Fund
The 16–19 Bursary Fund is administered by the Faculty and is aimed at students who are facing genuine financial difficulties.
- You need to be aged 16–19 years old (and under 19 years old on 31 August 2024)
- Or aged 19 or over on 31 August 2024 and have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), or continuing on the same study programme started aged 16–18
- Household income shouldn't exceed £42,876 per year or more
- If successful, contributions could assist towards the cost of books; equipment/ materials; subsistence; trips and transport to attend open days and interviews
- Attendance (monitored throughout the year) must be 80 per cent or above to receive a payment
- If successful, awards will be paid in instalments in early November, January and March. If you have not met the attendance criteria, the instalment will not be paid
- Application forms available at enrolment event, or via Reception, ground floor, Vijay Patel Building. Return completed forms by Monday 30 September 2024
- If you plan to apply, it is essential that you keep receipts for transport and equipment, or materials purchased for your studies, as these will be required for successful applicants to receive payments.
Information on additional support and more detail about the funds listed, is available via the Further Education Funding Reference Sheet 2024/25
Advanced Learner Loan
Please note that there are only a set number of these available for allocation.
You may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your tuition fees if you are:
- Aged 19+ on the first day of Year 1 of your course
- Be living in the UK on the first day of your course
- Be a UK National or have settled status (this means there are no restrictions on how long you can stay)
- Have been living in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for 3 years before starting your course.
It is not means-tested and no credit check takes place.
- Apply online at
- The minimum loan value is £300
- The UK Provider Reference Number is: 10001883
- You will need a 'Learning Funding Information Letter' which can be obtained from Faculty Admissions
- Repayments start in the April after your course ends but only if you are earning £25,000 or more per year.
Alderman Newton's Educational Foundation
Alderman Newton’s Educational Foundation is a charity offering support with the costs associated with taking up a confirmed place at a secondary school, college, university, or other institution of further education or training provider (for example: course fees, student accommodation, study aids, travel to your course, help with living expenses while you study).
- Apply online via the
- Apply 2–3 months in advance of your course start date if possible (but not more than 6 months)
- You need to be under the age of 25 years at the time of submitting your application
- You will need to provide evidence that you are in need of financial assistance
- Either you or one of your parents must have been resident in the Diocese of Leicester for at least two years (proof of residency may be required) and cannot be for the purposes of study only.