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Financial Support
At Cambridge Regional College we understand that there are costs related to attending college.
For students at Cambridge Regional College in 2026/2027 if your annual gross household income is £35,000 or below, you may be eligible for a college bursary which could support you towards these costs.
On this page you will be able to see details of each of our bursaries and be able to determine which one would be applicable to you based on your circumstances. The full Eligibility and Guidance for 2026/2027 is available at the bottom of this page. There is also a handy step by step guide and a video tutorial which explains registering and making an application which will help you through the process of using the college online bursary portal, Pay My Student.
Bursary applications are now open to all students and prospective students with an offer of learning. Without an offer, you cannot apply.
Please note the bursary is unable to provide financial assistance towards your course tuition costs. For further information on course tuition costs please contact Student Administration.
Would you like to apply for the college bursary?
Returning enrolled students who have previously had a college bursary can login to their Pay My Student account using their ID number and previous years(s) password. If you cannot remember your password, you can reset this via the Pay My Student portal login page. Use the ‘Apply Here’ button on this page to apply.
For students new to Cambridge Regional College for 2026/2027, once applications open for those not enrolled in July, you can apply using your Student ID number, which starts with 99, before you enrol on your course providing you have an offer to study on your chosen course(s). Details of when you are invited to enrol will be sent to you over the summer.
College Bus Ticket Voucher will need to be requested as soon as your bursary is approved by following the information in the bursary award letter. Further information about the college bus can be found here.
Those who are not enrolled on a course and applying for bursary, no payments into the bank accounts will be made before you enrol on your course and the start of the academic year
For guidance on using Pay My Student (bursary) Portal please see the bottom of this page for a video tutorial and step by step guide.
Please note, once you have an offer to study or enrolled at the college you may need to leave our systems a few hours, sometimes overnight, to update before you apply for bursary.
Are you using the College Bus to get to College?
If you are applying for the bursary to help with the cost of the college bus please apply for the bursary, then email to request a bursary bus pass voucher. Vouchers will be issued prior to the start of term. You can then use this voucher code to purchase your bus pass from Shuttle ID. To purchase your ticket, visit our Travelling to College web page and College Buses.
If your discount is for 75% (as per Bursary Guidance and Eligibility 2026-2027) of the bus pass fee, then you will be requested by our college finance department to complete a direct debit form to pay the remaining 25%.
Places on the college buses are limited so please email as soon as possible to receive your voucher and purchase your ticket.
For guidance on using Pay My Student (bursary) Portal please see the bottom of this page for a video tutorial and step by step guide.
I am aged 16-18 at the start of my course
Students aged 16–18 years
Students who are aged 16-18 at the 31st August at the start of the academic year will not normally be expected to pay any tuition fees, registration fees or exam fees for their course, but you may have to pay for other course related costs, such as essential kit and equipment. Those who turn 19 in the academic year will be supported under the 16-19 Discretionary Bursary.
16-19 Discretionary Bursary
This discretionary bursary may be able to help with any college fees (e.g. kit/additional activities/visits/books) which are considered essential to your participation on the course. Assistance may also be given for transport, either using the college bus or public transport or own transport. Learners aged over 16 but under 19 at the 31st August at the start of the academic year with a gross household income of £33,000 per annum or less can apply for assistance.
There are normally no registration, tuition or exam fees for learners aged under 19 on full time courses, however exam retakes may be charged and these are not supported under the bursary.
Free College Meals
Free College Meals will be offered to learners aged between 16-18 at the 31st August at the start of the academic year, or they are 19+ continuing a study programme they begun 16-18 (19+continuers), or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and meet the following government criteria:
- Universal Credit
16 – 19 Childcare
Learners aged under 20 on at the 31st August at the start of the academic year who have a child that needs childcare while they attend college can receive assistance through Care to Learn via the Government. For more information on the Governments Care to Learn scheme.
For further information on college bursaries and whether you are eligible download our Bursary Guidance and Eligibility 2026/2027.
To apply please click the following link https://camre.paymystudent.com/portal/
I am aged 16-22 at the start of my course, I live independently, in care or I am a care leaver
16-19 Vulnerable Learner Bursary (Government Scheme)
Cambridge Regional College support vulnerable students in line with the Government/ESFA guidance. The bursary is for students aged 16 or over or under 22 at the 31st August at the start of the academic year. This could be an award of up to £1,200. An assessment is made based on the financial need. We will assess the student’s financial need to enable them to participate in learning, e.g. travel costs, essential trips, lunches, equipment costs etc. If these costs are met from other sources of support, then we may not be able to award any money.
To be eligible for 16 – 19 Vulnerable Learner Bursary you will defined as one of the below vulnerable groups.
- you’re in or you recently left local authority care
- you (the student) gets Income Support or Universal Credit because you’re financially supporting yourself
- you (the student) gets Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in your name and either Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit
- you (the student) gets Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in your name and either ESA or Universal Credit.
19-22 Care Leavers Bursary (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority)
Those who are defined as Care Leavers from Cambridgeshire and/or Peterborough City Council may be able to access the 19-22 Care Leaver Bursary.
A learner must be aged 19 or over but under 22 on the 31st August at the start of the academic year to be eligible for help from the Care Leavers Bursary in the 2026/2027 academic year.
Those In Care or Care Leavers who would like to ensure they are getting support with all aspects of college life can contact our Inclusive College and Sanctuary Coordinator based in the Hub. For further information on Vulnerable and Care Leaver Bursary and whether you are eligible download our Bursary Guidance and Eligibility 2026-2027.
I am aged 19+ at the start of my course
19+ Bursary
Learners aged 19 and over on the 31st August at the start of the academic year will normally pay registration, tuition and exam fees in addition to kit, additional activity, visits or books. The 19+ Bursary helps learners studying a level 1, 2 or a first full level 3 qualification. To be eligible the learner must be aged 19 or over on the 31st August at the start of the academic year with a gross household income of £33,000 or less.
19+ Childcare
Funding for childcare for those 20+ is available through the college 19+ Discretionary Bursary. The contribution is for the days the learner is timetabled to be in college (a maximum of £160 per week per child) and the provider must be Ofsted registered. The fund will not cover any registration fees, food, pick-ups or childcare costs over college holidays (eg. half term, Easter, Christmas, summer holiday). For further information on 19+ bursary and whether you are eligible download our Bursary Guidance and Eligibility 2026-2027.
To apply please click the following link https://camre.paymystudent.com/portal/
Course Fees
You may qualify for support with your tuition fees, please contact our Student Administration team on 01223 428870 for more information and fee advice.
Advanced Learner Loan
If you are aged 19 and over and thinking of further education study, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of a course at a college or training provider in England.
You must be applying for a Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 qualification but loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there is no credit check.
Advanced Learner Loans are administered through gov.uk website and full information can be found here.
For more information on our Advanced Leaning Loan Discretionary Bursary please see the drop down below.
If your Advanced Leaning Loan question is specific to CRC then please contact our Student Administration team on 01223 428870 for more information.
I want to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan
Advanced Learner Loan
If you require more information about the Advanced Learner Loan, which cover the cost of tuition fees for adult learners on certain courses please visit the Government website here.
I am paying my course fees with the Advanced Learner Loan
Advanced Learner Loan Bursary
If you are paying for your course with an Advanced Learner Loan and your gross annual household income is £33,000 or below then you may be eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary.
The Advanced Learner Loan Discretionary Bursary entitles eligible applicants to support with the cost of travelling to college.
Please see Bursary Guidance and Eligibility 2026-27 for more information.
Please note any kit, material and trips are not cover by the bursary, these are covered by your department. If you require kit, materials and trips, please speak to your tutor, technician or head of department.
To apply for the Advanced Learning Loan Discretionary Bursary please click the following link https://camre.paymystudent.com/portal/
Higher Education Bursary
If you are studying a Higher National Certificates, Higher National Diplomas or Foundation Degree you may be eligible for the Higher Education Bursary. This bursary may be able to support you with Childcare costs, Essential Kit or Book costs and Transport/Travel costs.
To apply please click the following link https://camre.paymystudent.com/portal/
Higher Education Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply to Student Finance England for a Tuition Fee Loan. You can do this even if you have not had your place on the course confirmed. You can apply online directly with Student Finance England here.
I am studying a Higher Education course
Higher Education Bursary
If you are studying a Higher National Certificates, Higher National Diplomas or Foundation Degree you may be eligible for the Higher Education Bursary. This bursary may be able to support you with Childcare costs, Essential Kit or Book costs and Transport/Travel costs.
To apply please click the following link https://camre.paymystudent.com/portal/
Higher Education Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply to Student Finance England for a Tuition Fee Loan. You can do this even if you have not had your place on the course confirmed. You can apply online directly with Student Finance England here.
We have put together a Higher Education Financial Support leaflet, which you may find helpful. You can download this from the link below.
Further Information for applying for Student Finance can be found on the gov.uk website here:
Apply online for student finance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Further Information about the Advanced learner Loan can be found on the gov.uk website here:
Advanced Learner Loan: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Student Finance England Tuition Fee Loan for Higher Education courses
Higher Education Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply to Student Finance England for a Tuition Fee Loan. You can do this even if you have not had your place on the course confirmed. You can apply online directly with Student Finance England here.
We have put together a Higher Education Financial Support leaflet, which you may find helpful. You can download this from the link below.
I have only got 1- or 2-months’ worth of universal credit statements and cannot provide the 3 requested on my application, what do I do?
If you do not have three months of Universal Credit statements, we require a screenshot of the home page of your Universal Credit account that lists each month you have received a statements/payment. If you have yet to receive any payments or statements, we require your Universal Credit award letter. All evidence should be uploaded to your PayMyStudent online application.
I do not have a bank account; can I use a parent or other trusted person?
We can only accept the bank details of someone who is not the student if we have evidence of an appointee ship or power of attorney. This evidence would need to be uploaded to the PayMyStudent online application.
We recommend all students at the college, if able, should have a bank account as a learning tool.
I have received an email saying my application is missing evidence, what do I do?
Read the email and identify which evidence is reportedly missing from the application. Log back into your PayMyStudent online application, there all new or additional evidence can be submitted. If you are unsure what is missing it is recommended to delete all existing evidence and re-upload all required information.
We do not accept any evidence emailed to us.
How long does it take for my application to be awarded?
Once an application has been submitted it will take around 5 working days to be assessed. This can result in an award, a declined application or further contact around missing information.
If you upload missing information, it can take a further 5 working days to be re-assessed.
What benefits do you accept as evidence?
Payslips – Three most recent months in full. If you have recently changed job and do not have 3 months, we require the P45 from the previous role. If you were previously unemployed, we require evidence of when you started this role such as a contract offer letter.
Universal Credit – ALL pages of statements (including breakdown calculations and deductions) covering the last 3 consecutive months. An example of what is required is within the application – Please note we will not be accepting screenshots please provide PDFs.
Pension/Pension Credit (State or Private) award letter dated after 5th April 2024
Tax Return for 2022/2023(self-employed) plus Accountants letter
What evidence DON’T you accept?
We do not accept bank statements as a form of evidence.
Can I email my evidence or bank details?
We do not accept any information or personal detailed via email.
Will I be refunded if I have bought items for my course before my bursary has been awarded?
If you have purchased essential kit/equipment/uniform/trips prior to being awarded a bursary that includes this funding, email proof of purchase to .
College bus passes may also be refunded with evidence.
Any money spent on food or public transport prior to a bursary being awarded cannot be refunded.
A refund can take around a month to be completed.
My bursary has been declined, what do I do next?
If your bursary has been declined, you will be unable to make any changes to your application. As detailed in the letter you received stating it has been declined, you appeal the decision by sending an email to requesting to appeal. This can then be taken to our review panel. This can take at least 14 working days. There is no guarantee an appeal will result in the declined bursary being overturned
How long will it take for the travel bursary to go into my bank account?
Payments are made at the end of each month based on the previous month’s attendance. Your previous months attendance must be at least 85% or risk not receiving your payment as stated in the agreement signed when submitting an application.
Once a payment has been made it can take 5 working days to appear in the bank account.
I can’t log into my PayMyStudent account, what do I do?
If you are a returning student, we recommend changing the password on your PayMyStudent account.
Double check all the information you are providing is correct.
Make sure you are attempting to access the “log in” section and not “create a new account”.
Only student who are enrolled can apply for the bursary and it may take up to 48 hours from enrolment for your account to be active and able to log in.
If your are still having issues contact us via email at or visit the Hub.
Why haven’t I received my travel payment this month
The most likely reason is your attendance for the previous month is too low. You can visit the Hub or email to check what you attendance is.
This is not based of your attendance for the year.
Why haven’t I received my travel payment this month
The most likely reason is your attendance for the previous month is too low. You can visit the Hub or email to check what you attendance is.
This is not based of your attendance for the year.
What is my bursary assessed on?
Your bursary is assessed on the total gross household income. If it is below the threshold of £33,000 you may be entitled to bursary support.
Please note that some evidence of income such as PIP is not included in the assessment.
I struggle with computers, can I get a paper version emailed to me?
We do not offer paper applications.
If you do not have access to the internet you can visit the Hub at either campus with all the required information and evidence where an assessor can support you in completing an application.
How do I get my kit and equipment and/or uniform once my bursary has been awarded?
If you have not already purchased kit/equipment or uniform for your course and have been awarded support with this, contact your department who can detail how you can access this.
Some departments may order this on your behalf, some may provide a list for you to purchase yourself then request a refund.
I got the bursary last year, do I have to apply again?
A bursary application will need to be completed for every academic year you are with CRC.
You will still have access to your previous PayMyStudent account, although you may need to re-set your password if you have forgotten it.
How do I access my Free College Meals and how much do I get?
Your free college meals, once awarded, can be accessed on your student ID card by scanning the barcode in the canteen at either campus.
There is a value limit of £4.00 for each day you are in college. If you do not spend this, the allowance does not roll over to the next day.
If you are awarded free college meals and need to check how much money you have on you account or have a temporary ID for the day, please visit the Hub..
I am a child in care or care leaver, what does this mean and how does it affect my bursary?
You are still entitled to apply for the bursary but should not need to provide household income evidence to complete your application other than evidence from a social worker or key worker evidencing your care status.
A child in care or care leaver is a child that has been within the social care or foster system. Being a young carer or living in the care of your parents is not the same as being a child in care.
I have been awarded own/public transport funding; will this cover the full costs?
The bursary only provides a contribution to the costs of own or public transport, not the full amount for the year.
This will be paid directly into the provided bank account providing attendance is above 85% for the previous month.
Bursary Guidance and Eligibility 26-27 |
Childcare Bursary Information & Agreement 26-27 |
Step by Step Bursary Application Guide |
Childcare Bursary Terms and Conditions 19 + |
Childcare Bursary Terms and Conditions – Care to Learn (16-19) |
