Vocational Bursaries

New for September 2024 - We are trialling a new vocational bursary scheme for students studying a vocational course at either Bolton College or The Manchester College in September 2024. 

Students can apply for a £1,000 per year bursary for their course. Students must have a household income below £30,000 and have a parent or spouse or be employed themselves:

• In the Grocery Industry
• In a Community Pharmacy or as a registered Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician
• As a Commercial Traveller

How much are the bursaries?

The bursaries are £1,000 per year of your course. The bursary will be paid to the college and then transferred to you in instalments throughout the course. 

What can you use a vocational bursary for?

You can use the bursary for any reasonable costs connected with going to college, including travel, equipment, food, and childcare.

Who can apply? – Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you need to be:

• A student aged 16 and above (adults are eligible)
• Resident in the UK
• The child (including stepchild/under the care of), spouse (including widow), or those themselves who work: 
  • In the Grocery Industry
  • In a Community Pharmacy or as a registered Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician
  • As a Commercial Traveller 
  • Be currently employed and have worked in this capacity for at least 5 years. 

Before applying, you should check that you are eligible by reading our detailed guidance on eligibility.

Are bursaries paid directly to applicants?

No – if your application is successful, your college will receive the bursary on your behalf, and pass the money on to you via instalments throughout your course. 

Duration 

You can apply for a bursary for each year of your course. Unfortunately, we can’t offer bursaries for previous years of study that you have already completed. 

Do you need to re-apply each year? 

No, we expect to continue awarding you a grant for as long as your course continues, provided that:

• You continue to study full-time, at the same college, on the same course
• Your college confirms that your academic performance is satisfactory each year
• You progress on to the next year of your course when expected
• There is no significant change in your financial situation

Your college is responsible for sending us this information in a yearly report.

Making an application – Application procedure 

To apply, you need to fill in the online application form.

The scheme opens at 9am on Monday 9 September 2024 and closes at 5pm on Friday 13 December 2024, or until the funds have been depleted, whichever is soonest.