Cumbrian Rural Economy Travel Subsidy to be extended

Learners have been able to apply for funding of up to £350 towards transport costs to Myerscough’s Penrith centre, in a scheme generously supported by Eden District Council.

This exciting new travel subsidy has sat alongside the College’s established student bursary fund for anyone starting a programme at Myerscough College’s Ullswater Community college campus in September, 2022.

Returning students were also eligible, and in total, 43 learners have received assistance, providing a vital method of support, and removing potential barriers to study for learners who may not otherwise have considered the sector-leading programmes on offer, the only ones of their kind locally. The bursary has been proven to widen participation and take up of the programmes on offer.

Now, it can be announced that a further £250 has been pledged for the remaining two terms of the academic year, meaning each student can benefit up to the sum of £600.

The bursary works on a sliding scale, dependant on how far away a student is located to the Penrith centre. Students who travel more than 20 miles in single journey on public transport to the site have been eligible for the maximum sum of £350 in term one, with £175 available for journeys of between 10 and 20 miles, and £155 for more localised trips of up to 10 miles.

11p per mile was also made available for anyone travelling by car, again subject to the same distance scale.

Myerscough’s partnership with Ullswater Community College, in Penrith in Cumbria, recognises the importance of the agriculture, animal management and arboriculture sectors to the county, and how important it is that the next generation have the best possible opportunity to obtain high level qualifications locally.

This partnership is now in its second year, and ensures the continued study of these vital sectors for Cumbrian learners leaving school after Year 11, as well as increasing options for other students in Cumbria, who perhaps previously felt full-time study so far from home was too much of an obstacle.

Students can still live at home, and enjoy blended learning programmes, which incorporate a mix of practical and classroom sessions, combined with, on agriculture and animal programmes, weekly activity in state-of-the-art facilities at Myerscough’s Preston centre, with free travel incorporated into the timetable of learners.

Find out more details and apply for 2023 entry at www.myerscough.ac.uk/cumbria