Bursaries and Finance
We are committed to enabling equal opportunities to all students. If you feel cost is a barrier to studying at Huish please read the following information, or contact The Bursary Team.
Student Bursary Enquiry Times: 09.30-10.30 am and 12.30-1.30 pm daily during term time (excluding Wednesdays), based in the General Office behind Reception.
Contact the Bursary Team FAQs
- Discretionary Bursary
- Huish Travel Contribution (HTC)
- Vulnerable Bursary
- Free College Meals
- Grants and Funding
The Discretionary Bursary is a means-tested award to assist students to overcome financial barriers to education. It is open to students from households with an income of £30,000 net per annum or less.
If eligible, you may receive assistance with the following:
- Public transport to and from college during term time (if living over 3 miles from campus)
- Essential course costs, such as books and equipment
- Daily meal allowance
Assistance is provided on an ‘in-kind’ basis except in exceptional circumstances. Proof of income and an application form will be required.
Applications for this academic year (2025-2026) are now closed. Applications will open for the 2026-27 academic year in the summer. The closing date for applications will be Wednesday 30th September 2026 unless capacity is reached sooner.
Current Year 1 students already receiving the bursary may have different entitlements to the above.
Funds are limited and meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee financial assistance. We therefore recommend you apply early to avoid disappointment.
2025-26 Discretionary Bursary Terms and Conditions
The Huish Travel Contribution (HTC) is a means-tested award that provides financial assistance to students travelling to and from college via public transport, unless they are eligible for the discretionary bursary.
The HTC is open to students from households with an income of between £30,000 and £60,000 net per annum and who live more than 3 miles from campus.
If eligible, you will receive a 30% re-imbursement of travel expenses for getting to and from college. Proof of income and an application form will be required.
Applications for this academic year (2025-2026) are now closed. Applications will open for the 2026-27 academic year in the summer. The closing date for applications will be Wednesday 30th September 2026 unless capacity is reached sooner.
Current Year 1 students already receiving the Discretionary Bursary may have different entitlements to the above.
Funds are limited and meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee financial assistance. We therefore recommend you apply as early as possible.
2025-26 HTC Terms and Conditions
If you meet any of the following criteria and have a financial need, you can apply for a bursary for vulnerable groups of up to £1,200 per year if registered on to a programme of study that lasts for 30 weeks or more; or a pro-rata amount if the course is less than 30 weeks.
Eligibility criteria for the Vulnerable Bursary are that you are one of the following:
- In care
- Care leavers
- In receipt of Universal Credit because you are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and living with you such as a child or partner
- In receipt of Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
As with the discretionary bursary, most payments are made in-kind.
Please register on PayMyStudent and use the discretionary bursary option to apply.
Your eligibility for free college meals will be assessed from your Discretionary Bursary application. From September 2026, if you are in receipt of the Discretionary Bursary, the daily meal allowance will be topped up to £5. For those over the £30,000 threshold for the Discretionary Bursary, payments will remain at £2.61 a day (these can be accrued for up to 1 week at a time).
This daily allowance allows you to purchase food from any of the food counters in college, at any time of the day and will be pre-loaded on to your college ID card.
Bishop Fox’s Educational Foundation
Bishop Fox’s Educational Foundation aims to promote the education (including social and physical training) of young people between the ages of 11-24 years.
All Huish students can apply for a grant from the foundation. Grants can help towards costs of trips, sportswear, books, equipment for an enrichment/hobby plus other expenses.
For more information visit www.bfef.org.uk.
Somerset Community Foundation
To find out more visit Somerset Community Foundation.
Educational Trusts’ Forum
To find out more visit Educational Trusts’ Forum.
North Petherton Educational Trust
To find out more visit North Petherton Educational Trust.
Taunton Aid in Sickness Fund
To find out more visit Taunton Aid In Sickness Fund.