Bursaries and Finance

If you would like to speak to the Bursary Team in person they are based in the General Office behind Reception.

Students can discuss enquiries at the following times (term time only):

• 9.00am – 10.00am
• 12.30pm – 1.30pm

bursary@richuish.ac.uk

If you wish to apply for a bursary detailed below please follow these instructions. Please note, bursary awards are paid directly to you as the student unless you specifically request your bursary be paid to a third party. All payments are made using the BACS system.

Creating an account on PayMyStudent

To apply for a bursary you need to register on PayMyStudent.

You will need to:

• select the academic year 2024/25
• read the information and select register
• enter your student reference number
• enter your date of birth
• set-up a password
• click the ‘Register’ button
• select your preferred activation method and click submit.

Once registered, you will receive an activation email to the email you provided us on your application form.

Once you have successfully activated your account return to the Welcome Page and login using your student number, date of birth and password.

Submitting an application

On the PayMyStudent Welcome page select the blue ‘Proceed with your application form’ button.

• Check your student details and click ‘Next’
• Enter your parent/guardian details
• Select the bursary you are applying for
• Answer all questions and select next
• If you are applying for the Discretionary Bursary you can upload your required financial evidence on the ‘Evidence for Assessment and Eligibility’ page. You do not need to upload any bus tickets at this time
• Select next and enter your bank details (this must be the student’s bank account).
• Select next, check the application summary and tick the declaration box
• You and your guardian must enter an electronic signature or your application will not be processed
• Select the ‘Submit Application’ button.

Once the application has been assessed and approved, a notification letter will be sent to you and your guardian.

The Travel Contribution is a non-means tested award offering 60% towards your public transport costs. All students are eligible for this financial support unless they are in receipt of the Discretionary Bursary.

Award payments are made the first Wednesday of each month and are dependent upon us receiving evidence of your travel tickets, these must be dated no later than four weeks prior to the next payment date.

To apply for this financial support visit the PayMyStudent portal. The closing date to apply for the Travel Contribution is Friday 20th December 2024.

If travelling by train we encourage you to purchase a Young Persons railcard that entitles you to discounted train travel, the cost of this railcard is covered by the award.

We offer a free minibus shuttle service from Taunton train station to campus.

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:

• 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).

For the academic year 2024-5, the Discretionary Bursary at Huish is a means tested bursary for students whose household income is below £60,000 net per annum.

The award is dependent on you fulfilling the bursary eligibility criteria as shown below:

• You must have been resident in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of your studies at Huish
• You must be aged 16 and over but under 19 at the start of your Study Programme
• You must be registered on a full-time Study Programme for September before 31st August
• Your household income must be below £60,000 net for the tax year ending in April 2024 ahead of commencing your Study Programme.

The bursary offers the following levels of financial support:

• 100 % bursary funding for course costs, course trips and travel and college meals if your annual household income level is £25k or under
• 100 % bursary funding for course costs and course trips and travel if your annual household income level is £26-50k
• 100 % bursary funding for transport costs if your annual household income level is £51-60k
• 60% of your monthly travel costs (Travel Contribution) if your annual household income level is £60k or over.

If your annual household income is below £25k you will be awarded a college meal payment through the Discretionary Bursary (this will be preloaded onto your College ID card). This will be awarded on full assessment of your Discretionary Bursary application.

You will need one or more of the following pieces of financial evidence to apply for this bursary (2024/2025):

In accordance with Government Education Funding Agency guidance you be awarded a free meal each day during term time if your family are in receipt of one or more of the below benefits.

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Universal Credit, with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa
• Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs

This daily allowance allows you to purchase food from any of the food counters in college, any time of the day and will be pre-loaded on to your college ID card. Items not included in the meal allowance are confectionery and sweets.

Your eligibility for free college meals will be assessed from your discretionary bursary application.

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.

The 19+ Discretionary Learner Support Funds are available to students from families on a low income.

Eligibility criteria for the Learner Support Funds are:

• You are 19 years old or over at the start of your Study Programme
• You must have registered on a full-time Study Programme for September before 31st August
• You have been resident in the UK for 3 years or more at the start of your studies
• Your household income is below £30,000

If you fulfil all the above criteria you may receive a grant for up to 100% of the following course costs:

• Contribution to your travel costs
• Assistance towards college meals

For further information about the 19+ Learner Support Funds please contact bursary@richuish.ac.uk.