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Funding for College Accommodations

It is not always possible to find and study FE courses close to your home. But, you might get funding for college accommodation while you are studying.

This guide explains how to get financial help with term-time accommodation, how much you might get, and how to claim it.

Grants for Term-time Accommodation (UK)

Your household income will determine how much financial support you can get to cover the costs of staying away from home.

Depending on whether you are studying at a specialist residential centre – or not – the funding will come from (either):

  • Residential Bursary Fund (RBF)
  • Residential Support Scheme (RSS)

Note: Even though you may get funding for college accommodation while studying a further education course, it does cover the fees for staying at boarding schools.

Residential Bursary Fund (RBF)

If you meet the Residential Bursary Fund eligibility criteria you may get help with the cost of paying for college accommodation. You would need to:

  • Be at least sixteen (16) years old and under the age of 19 on the 31st of August.
  • Meet the residency requirements (the college will check and confirm this).

Note: If you are 19, you might still qualify if you are continuing a course that you started from 16 to 18 or you have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

The further education (FE) course that you are studying must be full time, and:

  • At a specialist residential centre (the college can check and confirm this).
  • Be ’16 to 19 funded’ (the college can check and confirm this).
  • Be too far away from your home to travel to each day (agreed by the college).

How Much Award Can You Get?

Even though the payments can continue for a maximum of three (3) years, it will be your college that makes a decision on the amount that you get (based on your household income).

Note: Contact the student support officer based at the college for further help on filling in an application form to claim a Residential Bursary Fund (RBF).

Residential Support Scheme (RSS)

If you meet the Residential Support Scheme eligibility criteria you may get help with the cost of paying for college accommodation. You would need to:

  • Be at least sixteen (16) years old and under the age of 19 on the 31st of August.
  • Meet the residency requirements (the college will check and confirm this).
  • Not already be claiming housing benefit.
  • Have a household income under £30,993.
  • Be studying your first level 2 or level 3 qualification (e.g. a diploma, 2 or more A levels, or an NVQ).

Note: If you are 19, you might still qualify if you are continuing a course that you started from 16 to 18 or you have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

The further education (FE) course that you are studying must be full-time at a college in England, and:

  • Be ’16 to 19 funded’ (the college can check and confirm this).
  • Not conducted at one of the specialist residential centres (the college can check and confirm this).
  • More than fifteen (15) miles or a two (2) hour round trip from where you live (and not available at a closer facility).

How Much Award Can You Get?

Payments can continue for a maximum of three (3) years. But, the chart shows the maximum amount of award available each year based on where you study and your costs for accommodation.

HOUSEHOLD INCOME (GROSS) STUDYING OUTSIDE LONDON STUDYING INSIDE LONDON
Up to £21,000 Up to a maximum of £3,458 Up to a maximum of £4,079
Between £21,001 and £25,704 Up to a maximum of £2,305 Up to a maximum of £2,685
Between £25,705 and £30,993 Up to a maximum of £1,152 Up to a maximum of £1,355
£30,994 (or over) No award available No award available

Note: Contact the student support officer based at the college for further help on filling in an application form and to make a claim through the Residential Support Scheme (RSS).

How to Get Funding for College Accommodation in United Kingdom