College Life

Travel – 16-18 year olds in Greater Manchester can apply for a free bus pass called Our Pass. This scheme will help you with your travel costs. You will pay an application fee of £10*, but can apply for a refund of this fee from the Bursary. For more information about Our Pass, visit www.ourpass.co.uk

If you are 18 or over on 31st August 2021, you will not be able to apply for Our Pass. However you can apply for help towards your travel costs through the college bursary*.

If you do not travel by bus to college, you can apply for help towards your travel costs through the college bursary*.

*To qualify for the above support you must live more than one mile away from College.

Books/Equipment – If you need specific books or equipment to complete your course, we may be able to contribute to the cost by making payment direct to your course department. (16-18 students ONLY).

Educational trips – If you have the opportunity to attend a course-related trip, we may be able to contribute towards the cost.

Meals – If you need help towards the cost of your meals expenses, you may qualify for a daily meals credit for the days that you are time tabled in college. Your daily meals credit will be added to your ID badge. You can use it by visiting the canteen/shop. (Full Time Learners Only)

UCAS-related expenses – We will reimburse the cost of your university application fee (UCAS fee) if you apply.

Childcare – If you are a parent and need childcare for the days you are in College, we may be able to support you with the costs. You can choose the childcare provider, but they must be Ofsted registered.

To apply for support with your childcare expenses, you first need to complete the Online Bursary Application by clicking on this link (https://oldham.paymystudent.com/portal/).

In addition to completing the Online Bursary Application, you need to download the relevant Childcare Application Form below, which you must complete with your childcare provider and return to us. (Age 20+)

• Butterflies Nursery Butterflies Nursery Bursary Application
• Private Childcare Provider Childcare Bursary Application 2021/22

IMPORTANT– You must contact the childcare provider you wish to use before applying for bursary funding to ensure they are able to offer you a place.

Oldham College has its own on-site nursery, Butterflies, which has received a ‘Good’ rating by Ofsted. For more information and to check availability, please contact Butterflies directly on 0161 785 4090 or have a look at the details on our website: Butterflies Nursery Information >

If you are a young parent under the age of 20 you cannot apply to the bursary for help with your childcare costs, instead the government Care to Learn Scheme may be able to assist you with your childcare expenses. To apply online, or for more information, visit:www.gov.uk/care-to-learn

Work experience/work placement – Most courses contain some work experience. If you expect to incur additional costs such as travel or meals expenses whilst you are on work experience, please come and see us.

Vulnerable Learners bursary (for 16-18 year olds ONLY) – Is an alternative Bursary, which is available to help with the costs associated with coming to College, please let us know if you are:

• In care/a care leaver
• Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit because you are financially supporting yourself, or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and living with you, such as a child or partner
• Receiving DLA/PIP and ESA/Universal Credit in your own right.