During your time as a student at CAVC, you may be eligible for financial support to help you come to college or study.
You may be able to have discounted or free bus or train travel to help you get to and from college.
If you are enrolled on a full-time college course at CAVC, aged 16-18 and live 3 or more miles from the campus you study, you can apply for a discounted or free travel pass for either bus or train. This is not means-tested and available to all eligible students.
You pay a termly fee to the college to access your pass. This fee depends on where you live:
| Where you live & Termly fee | |
| Zone 1&2: Live in Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan or neighbouring local authorities Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly or Newport. | £50 per term or £150 annual |
| Zone 3: Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot. | £100 per term or £300 annual |
This fee can be paid termly by set dates in September (for Term 1), December (for Term 2) and March (for Term 3) or as a one-off annual payment in September. This fee in non-refundable.
You must apply and pay the fee before the pass will be processed. Bus passes can usually be issued within 2 working days, train passes can take up to 10-15 working days.
Apply today for your discounted travel pass
Household income below £25,974?
You may be able to access free travel, without paying a termly fee.
If you are eligible for a bus or train pass and your household income is below £25, 974 you can apply for financial support that can cover your termly travel fee so your pass is free of charge. You can also apply for support for free meals at college or other costs relating to coming to college at the same time. To do this, also complete Part 2 of the application form linked above. You only need to apply once even if looking for support with more than one cost.
Please note: all financial support offered depends on college funding available and is subject to change. Support is not guaranteed until you receive written confirmation.
All CAVC learners can use our CAVC Rider.
This runs each day between our City Centre Campus, Cardiff International Sports Campus, Barry Campus and International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT).
To use the bus you just need to show your CAVC Student ID Badge to the driver.
If you have a household income of less than £25,974 may be eligible to apply for the following financial support.
EMA is a weekly payment of £40 to support 16-18 year olds with the costs of studying. It is provided through Student Finance Wales. Payments are made every 2 weeks, as long as you meet the college’s attendance requirements.
You could be eligible if you study a full-time course at CAVC can answer yes to all of these:
For full eligibility criteria, visit the Student Finance Wales website here
Click here to go to the Student Finance Wales website to apply for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 2025/2026 academic year.
Already approved for EMA? Click here to sign the EMA Learning Agreement to avoid delaying your payments!
Need help completing the form?
Contact our Student Finance Team on StudentFinanceTeam@cavc.ac.uk
You can also apply for support with other costs through the College’s Financial Contingency Fund (FCF). This fund, provided to the college by the Welsh Government, can cover costs including:
| Fund & Eligibility for students aged 16-18 | |
| Free meals at college | 16-18 years of age, in line with Welsh Government criteria for Free School Meals |
| Travel pass fee | 16-18 years of age, eligible for a travel pass and Education Maintenance Allowance |
| Kit/ Equipment | 16-18 of age, eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance and approved kit equipment or other fee to pay required for course |
| Childcare | Household income of below £25,000. Funding provided for one child only and up to set amount. |
Applying for financial support
If you are applying for a travel pass you complete section 1 and 2. If you are not applying for a travel pass and only support with other costs such as free meals at college, kit or childcare, just complete section 2. You only need to apply once even if looking for support with more than one cost.
Apply today for Financial Support for other costs
Please note: all financial support offered depends on college funding available and is subject to change. Financial Contingency Awards are discretionary and not an entitlement. Funds are limited and submission of an application does not guarantee funds being awarded. Applications for Financial Contingency Funds do not guarantee funds being awarded – applications take up to 4 weeks to be assessed and support is not guaranteed until you receive written confirmation. Funds are awarded to eligible learners on a first come first served basis.
The college is registered under the data protection act. Personal data will only be gathered and used for the purposes stated in the College’s registration under the Act. Due to the College’s Data Protection Policy, the College will not discuss this application with any persons other than you (the applicant) without your permission.
Got a question or need help completing the form?
Contact our Student Finance Team on StudentFinanceTeam@cavc.ac.uk
If you have a household income of less than £18,370 you are eligible to apply for the following financial support.
The Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) is a grant for students aged 19 or over who are studying a Further Education course at College and have a household income of less than £18,370. If you are studying full-time you could receive payment of up to £1,500 per year, or, if studying part-time you could receive up to £750 per year.
For full eligibility criteria, visit the Student Finance Wales website here
Click here to go to the Student Finance Wales website to apply for the Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) for 2025/2026 academic year.
Already approved for WGLG? Click here to sign the WGLG Learning Agreement to avoid delaying your payments!
Need help completing the form?
Contact our Student Finance Team on StudentFinanceTeam@cavc.ac.uk
You can also apply for support with other costs through the College’s Financial Contingency Fund (FCF). This fund, provided to the college by the Welsh Government, can cover costs including:
| Fund & Eligibility for students aged 19+ | |
| Free meals at college | Only awarded in exceptional circumstances to learners aged 19+ |
| Travel pass fee | 19+ years of age, eligible for Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) and living 3 or more miles from campus of study |
| Kit/ Equipment | 19+ years of age, eligible for Welsh Government Learning Grant and approved kit equipment or other fee to pay required for course |
| Childcare | Household income of below £25,000. Funding provided for one child only and up to set amount. |
Applying for financial support
If you are applying for a travel pass you complete section 1 and 2. If you are not applying for a travel pass and only support with other costs such as kit or childcare, just complete section 2. You only need to apply once even if looking for support with more than one cost.
Apply today for Financial Support for other costs
Please note: all financial support offered depends on college funding available and is subject to change. Financial Contingency Awards are discretionary and not an entitlement. Funds are limited and submission of an application does not guarantee funds being awarded. Applications for Financial Contingency Funds do not guarantee funds being awarded – applications take up to 4 weeks to be assessed and support is not guaranteed until you receive written confirmation. Funds are awarded to eligible learners on a first come first served basis.
The college is registered under the data protection act. Personal data will only be gathered and used for the purposes stated in the College’s registration under the Act. Due to the College’s Data Protection Policy, the College will not discuss this application with any persons other than you (the applicant) without your permission.
Got a question or need help completing the form?
Contact our Student Finance Team on StudentFinanceTeam@cavc.ac.uk
Learners who find themselves to be in financial hardship may be able to get support form other external agencies or organisations. Please click on the links below for more information:
The King’s Trust - The Prince’s Trust Development Awards can provide support with course fees, as well as help to purchase any essential kit or uniform you may need for your course. Please CLICK HERE to go to their contact page and make an enquiry today.
Turn2us - https://www.turn2us.org.uk/ - a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially
Government website - https://gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf - The Discretionary Assistance Fund provides two types of grant that you do not need to pay back.
Child Benefit – https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit - full time learners aged up to 20 are still eligible for Child Benefit, proof of student status will be required and can be requested by completing this form.
CAVC Wellbeing Team – if you need any support outside of what is outlined above, you can contact the college Wellbeing Team; they can advise of any external agencies who may be able to help you, as well as providing short-term emotional support and practical support such as foodbank vouchers or travel scratch cards – you can reach them by emailing learnerfeelsafeteam@cavc.ac.uk.
Family Action - With Family Action, students who are on a low income can access grants of up to £300 to achieve their goals.
Grants are available for laptops, smartphones, travel to college, books and equipment that you need for your course.
You may be able to apply for a grant if you:
are in receipt of means tested benefits OR are dependant on parents/carers who are in receipt of means tested benefits OR are an asylum seeker with an Application Registration Card (ARC) AND are studying on a course up to and including Level 3 in England OR up-to and including level 6 in Scotland. - Family Action: Supporting families at every age and stage of life
Family learning – School Essentials Grant (previously Pupil Development Grant) - The School Essentials Grant is available to help families on a low income, with children who attend a maintained primary or secondary school.
You can use the grant to buy things like:
school uniform, sports kit, uniform for enrichment activities, such as community sports school bags, and stationery
You cannot use this grant to buy IT equipment - https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Schools-and-learning/Financial-support/School-Essentials-Grant/Pages
Early Years Funding - The Cardiff Young People’s Fund is available to help young people continue their education, or to assist in their entry to a profession, trade or vocation.
You can apply for both the Cardiff Young People's Fund and the Craddock Wells Bursary.
No further applications will be accepted once all available funding has been allocated in a given financial year.
https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Schools-and-learning/Early-years-and-child-care/Early-Years-Funding/Pages/Early-Years-Funding