Student Financial Contingency Fund

Department: Student Services
Document Author: Caroline McCarthy
Job Title: Student Services Manager
Date of Approval: March 2025
Review Date: January 2027
Version: 2.0

Policy Checklist:

Policy Positioning Statement

Our mission is simple – be all that you can be.

Bridgend College is a special place to learn and work. We want to create an inclusive environment which enables people to be innovative and passionate about what they do. We want to create inspirational opportunities which transform lives and celebrate the successes of every individual. We are committed to making decisions which are ethical and people-centred, for every person and in every interaction.

We know that the standards we walk past are the standards we accept, so by being a team player who is committed to our organisational values, we can ensure that everyone is ready to learn and work in an environment where they are respected and feel safe, to be all that they can be.

We want Bridgend College to be a place of sanctuary, providing a sense of belonging.

We recognise the significant impact of trauma on individuals’ lives and understand that a compassionate and understanding approach is essential to support our students and staff on their academic and personal journeys. We will do this by being calm, consistent and caring in our approach to communication and decision-making.

We want to be an anti-racist College. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture where people are respectful and where this permeates all that we do. We want to develop a culture where people show up for one another with trust and integrity – a place of learning and work where people thrive.

As a place of education, we recognise our responsibility in developing the skills, knowledge and confidence of our students, staff and the communities we serve.

We know that we don’t always get things right, but we are committed to listening, learning and educating ourselves on our journey to becoming an extraordinary organisation.

We are committed to ensuring that course choices and offers are in the best educational interest of an individual learner, enabling them to both achieve and progress (in terms of personal skills but also social and academic development).

This policy applies to all applicants applying to or enrolling on a learning programme, irrespective of mode or location of study.

1. Purpose and Objectives:

Provided annually by Medr, the College manages the Financial Contingency Fund (FCF), aimed at removing barriers to learning for learners in financial hardship. Access to financial support via this fund will depend on household income and individual circumstances. This is a limited fund. 

Students who are eligible for the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 16 to 18-year-olds, or the Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) for those learners aged 19 years and over, can apply for further financial support from the FCF.

2. Policy Details:

2.1 The FCF allows the college to support students with the costs associated with travel, by train or bus. A copy of the Student Transport Policy can be viewed here 

2.2 The FCF can support students with childcare fees at a maximum rate of £60 per day of attendance for one child only. Students may use any registered childminder or nursery. 

2.3 The FCF can be used towards course related costs including equipment, uniform, books and trips and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable. 

2.4 The FCF can support students with the cost of meals. A daily meal allowance, for use in College food outlets, is available for eligible students. 

2.5 Applications to the fund can be made in Welsh or English.

3. Eligibility:

3.1 The FCF is available to students aged 16 and older, studying a full-time or part-time further education course. 

3.2 Eligibility criteria are aligned to any requirements outlined by Medr. The amount that the College receives is not guaranteed each year, and demand for financial support exceeds the amount available within the fund. 

3.3 Usually, either student or parent(s) / carer(s) need to evidence that they are in receipt of one of the following benefits: 

• Income Support 
• income based Jobseeker’s Allowance 
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit (but not working tax credit) if your annual income as assessed by tax credits does not exceed £16,190 
• Guarantee element of Pension Credit 
• Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ (the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for working tax credit) 
• Universal Credit (not in work) 
• Universal Credit (in work) where your award is based on net annual earnings of under £7,400 from your employment or self-employment

4. Responsibilities:

4.1 The applicant is responsible for providing all required evidence to support their application. Information provided will be managed in accordance with the College’s Data Protection Notice and Privacy Notice. 

4.2 The Student Financial Wellbeing and Transport Coordinator is responsible for developing appropriate procedures for the overall management of the FCF. Procedures may need to be adjusted on an annual basis depending on Medr guidance, priorities in supporting learners and funds available. 

4.3 The Student Services Manager has the authority to make decisions for discretionary payments to students based on evidence provided.

5. Allocating and Awarding Funds

5.1 The College aims to apply a consistent and fair approach to the administering of funds, prioritising as many eligible students as possible. 

5.2 Support from the fund is not guaranteed each academic year, irrespective of eligibility. Students must not assume that they will receive the same level of support from one academic year to the next. 

5.3 Early application to the fund is encouraged, with applications for the next academic year opening in May each year. Applications are processed on a first come, first allocated basis. 

5.4 We will endeavour to process and provide an award outcome for the fund within 15 working days of receiving an application. Where incomplete information or evidence is missing, the processing timeline will pause, until any request for information or evidence is received.

6. Appeals

6.1 The Student Services Manager will respond to appeals in the event of an application not being approved. 

6.2 Appeals should be made in writing, outlining the reason(s) for the appeal, along with any evidence which supports consideration against the original decision. Appeals should be sent to hello@bridgend.ac.uk and marked for the attention of the Student Services Manager. 

6.3 Appeals will be reviewed and an outcome will be shared in writing within 15 working days.

7. Related Documents:

FCF Application Form (Paper copies of the form are available on request) 

Poverty and Deprivation Strategy 

Welsh Language Standards 

Student Transport Policy

8. Document review:

To be reviewed annually or as required

Equality Impact Assessment Form

Date completed: 10/2/25
Signed by Manager completing the assessment: Caroline McCarthy

Welsh Language Impact Assessment

Welsh Language Standards

Action Plan

Actions should demonstrate steps to be taken to reduce or where possible, eliminate any negative impact on the Welsh Language.

Assessment Completion Date: 10/2/25

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