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.  Learners receive an annual ticket via the Go North East app, allowing FREE travel to and from College during term time between the hours of 6am and 7pm.
• 16-18 learners using their own transport receive a mileage allowance of 30p per mile.
• 19+ learners who meet the required eligibility criteria receive a reimbursement of evidenced public transport costs or a mileage allowance of 30p per mile.

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

Learners who require course materials such as books and stationery, must apply for this support via email at financial.support@derwentside.ac.uk 

Evidence of cost and proof of purchase MUST be supplied where possible.

16-18 and 19+ learners who meet the eligibility criteria are able to access a FREE meal daily from the college canteen.  Learners must consent to have their fingerprint taken to access their allowance. 

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, those learners who meet the eligibility criteria will have uniform/kit and equipment funded through the bursary.  Those who do not meet the bursary criteria will be funded by the college  
• 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 2026-2027

Care to Learn Application 2026-2027

20+ Childcare: Student Information 2026-2027

20+ Childcare Application 2026-2027

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.