Financial Support

In exceptional circumstances the college can offer financial support to help with the cost of tuition fees.

Please click here to access the College's Fees Policy.

The College provides funding to support the cost of travel as follows:

• All full time 16-18 learners are eligible for free travel regardless of personal circumstances.  16-18 learners receive an annual ticket via the Go North East app, allowing FREE travel to and from College during term time.
• 16-18 learners using their own transport receive a mileage allowance.
• 19+ learners who meet the required eligibility criteria receive a reimbursement of evidenced public transport costs or a mileage allowance.

An Application For Financial Assistance must be completed before a Travel Claim Form can be submitted. 

The College provides bursary funding to support eligible students with college related expenses:

• 16-18 learners who meet specific eligibility criteria and have a financial need, may receive an enhanced (vulnerable) bursary of up to £1,200 for the academic year
• 16-18 and 19+ learners can claim a termly bursary to help with the cost of books and stationary, subject to eligibility criteria being met

16-18 and 19+ learners who meet the eligibility criteria are able to access a FREE meal daily from the college canteen.

An Application For Financial Assistance must be completed before FREE meals can be awarded.

The College provides funding to support the purchase of uniforms and equipment for eligible learners as follows:

• 16-18 learners receive essential uniform and equipment free of charge
• 19+ learners on fully funded programmes receive uniform and equipment free of charge.  Learners who are not fully funded maybe supported with the cost of uniform and equipment, subject to eligibility criteria being met  
• Learners in receipt of an Advanced Learner Loan have the cost of essential uniform and equipment included in their loan amount 

Childcare funding is available for eligible learners as follows:

• Learners aged 16 - 19 are eligible for childcare funding from a national scheme called Care-to-Learn.  Further information and application forms are available below or upon request from the Finance Department in college
• Learners aged 20+ who meet the eligibility criteria can have the cost of childcare met for pre-school aged children that are placed with Ofsted registered providers. 
• Funding will cover timetabled hours, plus reasonable travel time to and from College

Learners will be expected to deduct free government childcare provision from any potential claim.

Care to Learn Information 2025-2026

Care to Learn Application 2025-2026

20+ Childcare: Student Information 2025-2026

20+ Childcare Application 2025-2026

Childcare Voucher Sample

Childcare Voucher - Completion Guidance

Childcare Voucher 

For further information regarding financial support and the eligibility criteria please read the 16-18 Student Finance Information leaflet or our 19+ Student Finance Information leaflet.

You can apply for support by downloading the Application for Financial Assistance and the Biometric Information notice, once completed, submit along with the required evidence to financial.support@derwentside.ac.uk alternatively, pick one up from the main college reception, complete and return with the necessary evidence to the Finance Department or the main reception. 

If you have any queries regarding Financial Support you can contact the email address above or alternatively, Caroline Swainson at caroline.swainson@derwentside.ac.uk or on 01207 585 971.

Please click here to access the College's Financial Support for Learners Policy.

To complete the forms online, please save a copy to your device. You will need software that allows you to open pdf files, e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader.