Free College Meals

To support students in Further Education, the Government provides Free College Meals for 16-18 year olds and 19-25 year olds with an Education Health Care Plan, similar to those provided at school. Students are awarded a meal allowance of £3.50 per timetabled day to use on healthy meals. Students can access a meal on college premises (allowance pre-loaded onto learner ID card) or meals maybe awarded using an alternative method. You do need to apply for these, using our Student Financial Support application form and provide evidence of your income/benefits.

Qualifying Benefits

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC))
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

For students not on benefits, please still apply for financial support, as we have discretionary funds available that can provide a contribution to learning related costs, such as travel, equipment and meals.