Bursary

Bursary Support and Free Meals

The college has funding to provide financial support for students who have the greatest financial need. Students who meet the eligibility criteria will be able to apply for a college bursary and/or free meals. Please meet the application deadlines and ensure you submit all the required evidence to speed the process of the review.

Bursary

There are two parts to the bursary scheme

Student Vulnerability – This means that the student is in care, leaving care, living independently, are disabled and receive ESA/Universal credit and Disability Credit or Personal Independence Payment in their own name.

Other – Based on household income being under £30,000 – this includes whatever your family receives (salary, pension, benefits and or tax credits 2025/26) on an annual basis. Evidence will be required to support this. Students eligible for this may receive up to 5 half termly payments to contribute towards essential course costs whilst at college plus other payments for example support travel costs, contributions to residential trips etc.

Payments may be affected if attendance/behaviour falls below certain acceptable standards.

Free Meals

The college has a scheme offering free meals to students who meet the eligibility criteria. If you are under 19 and live in a household in receipt of the following you may be eligible:

• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
• National Asylum Seeker’s Support
• Guarantee Element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit with no element of Working Tax Credit and a household income of below £16,190)
• Universal Credit with the Net Earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa

If you received FSM in year 11, you are entitled to FSM at the college. You will need to provide evidence, either from your school or Local Authority.

Use the Free School Meals Eligibility Checker

Bursary and Free Meals FAQs

How much will my Bursary payment be?

As the Bursary Handbook sets out, applications are based on need. Government Guidance sets out requirements, “to help students with the cost of essential books or equipment or travel to college. Bursary is not intended to support costs, such as living costs, extracurricular activities etc.

Subject departments have supplied estimates of the costs across the year.  These have been used as the basis of the initial payments. Payments may vary across the year.

I have submitted my application but have not heard anything?

Upon submitting your application/query there may be a 4-week response time due to the volume of applications received in Finance. We will assess your application and send you a confirmation letter via your student email; with the decision, either Yes / No or a request for further information where the application is incomplete. 

How is the amount assessed?

Bursary cost is determined by each course the students studies while they are at LSC. For the  first half term, you may receive an one-off cost depending on the course you study. For example, if you study  Performing Arts, you will receive the one-off cost for uniforms in the first payment. This does not mean that you are guaranteed  the same amount for the rest of the year.

Please be aware that your attendance rate is required to be over 90% to receive Bursary. Attendance used for each payment is based on your attendance during the previous half-term. (e.g. February payment will be based on Half-term to December). If there is a specific reason for the low attendance that you feel should be taken into account then, please contact your tutor who will contact us regarding any changes that need to be made. You might not get the full assessed amount and this may be due to your attendance being low.

Will I get my Bursary payment back-dated?

Any applications received up to 17th December 2025 will be back-dated and paid in January 2026. Any applications received after the 17th December 2025 will be assessed and paid in January 2026 but NOT backdated.

Is it too late to apply?

No, it is not too late to apply for the Bursary. You can find the Application Form on the student Intranet, where you will also find a booklet about the Bursary, which sets out how to apply and submit all your information.

My circumstances have changed what do I do?

If you have previously applied for Bursary, please email details of any changes to bursary@leyton.ac.uk explaining what has changed. You may be asked to supply further evidence, otherwise please apply for a Bursary in the normal way.

My bank has closed my account or I have changed banks?

Any bank detail changes must be notified to Finance urgently, to prevent delay in payment.

How do I know whether I am eligible for FSM? 

If you are not sure, please scan the QR code below.

What you need – Parent or guardian’s full name, DoB and National Insurance Number. Once it shows that you are eligible, you can print it out and provide it Finance. 

How will I get credit for Free College Meals?

Free Meals allowances are uploaded to the ‘Time 2 Eat’ App on your mobile daily.  Students will need to download the app from their ‘App store’ for Apple phone, the ‘Play Store’ for Android or scan the QR code below.

If you still need to provide us with evidence of Free College Meals, you can now use  pps.lgfl.org.uk which is an eligibility checker. Please provide Finance with a copy of this.

Will I get my free meals payment during the holidays? How will this be paid?

If you have been notified by the college that you are eligible for Free College Meals and are a resident of Waltham Forest, you will receive vouchers during holiday periods. The vouchers will be sent directly to the students’ college email address on behalf of the Council.  No details have been received regarding students from other Local Authorities. Details regarding the scheme may change during the year at the decision of the Council.