Financial Support Available

You could receive up to £1,919 for a full time course, or up to £959 for a part time course dependent on your income.
You may be eligible if you:
  • Are aged 19 or over on 1 September 2025
  • Have a household income of £18,370 or less
  • Are studying a full-time (15+ hrs/week) or part-time (8+ hrs/week) FE course
  • Meet residency and nationality criteria
  • Are not receiving funding from another source
Receive £40 per week (paid fortnightly) while studying.
You may be eligible if you:
  • Are aged 16–18 on 1 September 2025
  • Study at least 12 hours per week
  • Live in a household with income under £23,400 (£25,974 with more than one young person)
  • Meet residency and nationality criteria
📄 Apply at studentfinancewales.co.uk/further-education-funding
A means-tested grant to support students facing financial hardship. It can help with:
  • Childcare
  • Transport
  • Equipment and books
  • Exam and registration fees
📄 Apply online via the college website (Pay my Student)
Students aged 25 or under on 1 September 2020 and on a full-time course may be eligible.
  • £5.00 per day is added to your student card
  • Must be in receipt of state benefits
📄 Apply online via the college website (Pay my Student)

Travel Support

Free Transport (Ages 16–18)

If you:
  • Live over 3 miles from college
  • Are aged 16–18 on 1 September 2025
  • Are on a full-time course
Apply directly to your local authority.
Local Authority
Phone
Website
Merthyr Tydfil
01685 726256
Powys
01597 826477
powys.gov.uk
RCT
01443 494853
rctcbc.gov.uk
Caerphilly
01443 864841
caerphilly.gov.uk
Blaenau Gwent
01495 355435
blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
If your application is refused, the college may reimburse travel costs through the FCF Fund
📄 Apply online via the college website (Pay my Student)
Reimbursable travel costs include:
  • Bus/train fares (receipts required)
  • Mileage allowance (13p per mile)
📧 Contact: Cash Office – cashoffice@merthyr.ac.uk

Course Costs

  • Full-time students under 19: Tuition is free (some courses may have material costs)
  • Part-time students under 19: Exam, and registration fees apply
    • A direct debit scheme is available to spread the cost
  • Full-time students over 19: Tuition is free (some courses may have material costs)
  • Part-time students over 19: Tuition,Exam, and registration fees apply
    • A direct debit scheme is available to spread the cost

Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of awards for learners progressing from Merthyr Tydfil schools:
  • Academic Excellence Scholarship (7+ A grades)
  • Inspirational Learner of the Year
  • Vocational Excellence Award
  • Sporting Excellence Award
  • Welsh Valleys Engineering Project Ambassador Bursary
📧 Register interest: Shelby Berry – s.berry@merthyr.ac.uk

Refund Policy

Further Education

  • If the college cancels a course, a full refund will be issued
  • If a student withdraws after 28 days, full fees apply
  • Refunds must be requested via the cash office
📧 Contact: Cash Office – cashoffice@merthyr.ac.uk
  • Up to 1st Oct: 0%
  • End of 1st Term: 25%
  • End of 2nd Term: 50%
  • Start of 3rd Term : 100%