Students must complete an online application to apply for financial support. The application will assess eligibility based on the criteria mentioned above and require documentation as evidence. The process involves:

1. Registering for an account using your Student ID number here. https://iwcollege.paymystudent.com/portal/
2. Providing required documentation (e.g., evidence of income, household benefits, etc.).
3. Submitting the application online.

Eligibility for student financial support varies by program but generally includes the following:

• Age requirements (e.g., 16-19, 19+) Unfortunately this funding does not cover students aged 14-16 years of age.
• Household income thresholds - £35,000
• Residency criteria as per ESFA guidelines
• Enrolment in qualifying courses

• Half-termly bus passes to assist with commuting to and from college if the learner lives more than 2 miles from the education facility.

• There is no separate bus pass form – all financial support will be assessed as part of one application.

• We will be offering our eligible students with EHCPs a bus pass if requested – you will not need to apply via the Isle of Wight Transport team in this case

• Students with an EHCP requiring a taxi should apply to the Isle of Wight Council for travel support. Please contact the SEN Team on 01983 823470 or email transport.info@iow.gov.uk.

• Financial assistance for required textbooks, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary for coursework - all items need to be confirmed and ordered by the department.

Free meals in further education funded institutions guide: 2024 to 2025 academic year - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Eligible students will receive meals provided on the college campus or receive BACs payments to purchase food for lunch when their main site does not have onsite catering facilities.

All students will receive a Student Card which will allow Free College Meals (FCM) students to access their meals allowance.

Eligibility for Free College Meals includes:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided not entitled to Working Tax Credit and with annual gross income not exceeding £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on
• Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding £7,400 per annum

• Students Under 20 – Care to Learn
  If you're under 20 at the start of your course and you're the main carer for your child, you may be eligible for help with childcare and related costs through the Care to Learn scheme. This includes funding for childcare fees, taster sessions, summer retainer, and travel to your childcare provider.
• For more information or to check your eligibility, visit Care to Learn: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)or speak to the student support team. To be considered, you must also apply for student financial support.
  

• Students Aged 20 and Over
  If you are aged 20 or over, support is available to help with childcare costs for your timetabled hours at college.
  To be eligible, you must apply for and qualify for student financial support.
  Please note we are unable to cover any meals or consumable costs for your child/children.

• Advanced Learner Loans are available to help cover tuition fees for eligible courses.

Eligibility Criteria - Advanced Learner Loan

• • You must be aged 19 or over.
  • Your course must be eligible.
  • You must reside in the UK

Full details are available here Advanced Learner Loan: Eligibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Learning and Funding Information Letters

To apply for an Advanced Learner Loan, you will need a Learning and Funding Information Letter from the college. We aim to send these out to relevant learners from July 2025.

Before applying for a loan, students are encouraged to seek independent financial advice from the Money and Pensions Service

Student Financial Support for approved loans students

If you are approved for an Advanced Learner Loan, you may also be eligible for extra financial support from the college.

To qualify, you must:

• • Be aged 19 or over.
  • Have an approved Advanced Learner Loan.
  • Have a personal annual income of under £26,000

Additional support may include help with childcare, travel, or essential course-related costs.

For extra support with food and hygiene products please visit the Isle of Wight Community Pantries.

Community pantries | Children and Families | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk)

Community pantries and food vouchers (iow.gov.uk)

Please contact the Student Support team if you require support with emergency food and hygiene products.