Educational Maintenance Allowance
If you have a household income of less than £30,000 per year, you may be eligible for Education Maintenace Allowance (EMA) payments of up to £30 a week. These are paid directly to you and can be used to pay for anything you wish, including transport, books or entertainment. For further details please visit the EMA website.
Additionally, if you are entitled to the MAXIMUM EMA amount of £30 a week and qualify for transport assistance through Wiltshire County Council, you may receive a 50% discount on the cost of your travel pass.
Transport Assistance from Wiltshire College
If you are not eligible for the Wiltshire County Council Student Travel Scheme, you may be able to obtain a subsidised bus pass through the college – even if you are over 19. – please contact the College Information & Advice Centre for an application form.
The Wiltshire College Learner Support Fund
This is a means tested fund and every application will be considered individually. You may get help towards a pass, petrol costs or bus/train fares. These funds may be paid weekly, monthly, or termly, depending on your circumstances. The Wiltshire College Learner Support Fund is available to full time and part time students.
The Wiltshire College HE Acess to Learning Fund
HE Access to Learning Fund – If you are studying a Higher Education Course at Trowbridge, Lackham or Chippenham you may be able to get help through this means tested fund.
Discount “First Bus” Season Tickets
Students attending Wiltshire College’s Trowbridge site can also purchase weekly or monthly bus passes through the College at rates much cheaper than buying a daily ticket!
For more information on any of these schemes, please contact the Information & Advice Centre at the college you wish to attend:
Telephone:
Chippenham 01249 464 644
Lackham 01249 466 800
Trowbridge 01225 766 241
Transport Assistance from other Councils
If you live in Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Somerset or within the areas covered by Swindon Borough and Bath & N.E. Somerset Councils, you may be entitled to transport assistance from those Councils:
Bath and North East Somerset Council
Students may be able to purchase a pass for journeys to schools where transport already exists and seats are available.
Please telephone 01225 394319 for more details.
Dorset County Council
If you live in Dorset, you may qualify for a subsidised bus pass if you are attending your nearest 6th form and the school is more than 5 miles away from your home. This will cost £184 per year but may be issued free if you or your immediate family are in receipt of certain benefits.
Please telephone 01305 224544 for more details.
Please note that there are no additional funds available for students attending college.
Gloucestershire County Council
Subsidised bus passes are available for students attending their designated 6th form or college and are more than 3 miles from the campus. These passes may be issued free if the family is in receipt of certain benefits. Please telephone 01452 425407 for details.
Hampshire County Council
If you live in Hampshire, assistance will be given if:
- You are attending your nearest 6th Form or College providing an appropriate course; and
- The school/college is less than 10 miles away from your home; and
- The school/college is more than 4 miles away; and
- You are living in a low income household (proof of income will be required)
Please telephone 01962 845844 for more details.
Somerset County Council
If you live in Somerset, are under the age of 19 and live more than 5 miles from College, you may be eligible for a subsidised bus pass from the Somerset Local Education Authority as long as you are attending your nearest provider for the course you wish to study. In some cases, you may be eligible for petrol money. Please telephone 01823 355942 for more details.
Swindon Borough Council
If you live within the Borough of Swindon and are attending a 6th form or college within the Borough you can purchase a bus pass for £235. This pass may be free if you are on certain benefits.
Requests for outside the Borough are considered on an individual basis.
Please telephone 01793 466213 for more details.
Financial Assistance for Musicians
View more details of some of the Grants and Bursaries available to students who are studying Music Courses.
Other Sources of Help
If you are not eligible for assistance from these organisations, please see Other Sources of Financial Help for Travel to Further Education for more information.
Please note that the above information is based on details provided to us by the colleges and councils concerned and has been included here in good faith as an indication of the assistance that may be available. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information is correct, no responsibility can be accepted for any inaccuracies, so please contact the college or council concerned before committing yourself to a particular course.