Free college lunches?

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rich_shot2003
rich_shot2003 Posts: 2,150 Forumite
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in Benefits & tax credits
16 year old son starts College this week and he was getting free school lunches at school so would he still get them at college or not?

can not see anywhere online about when they go to college.

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  • paragon909
    paragon909 Posts: 1,498 Forumite
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    rich_shot2003 wrote: »
    16 year old son starts College this week and he was getting free school lunches at school so would he still get them at college or not?

    can not see anywhere online about when they go to college.

    Colleges don't provide free meals to students... Normally catering for colleges if done by third party companies like Sodexo, And there is no chance you would get anything free of them! Does he not any any sort of grant or bursary for going to college?
  • rich_shot2003
    rich_shot2003 Posts: 2,150 Forumite
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    paragon909 wrote: »
    Colleges don't provide free meals to students... Normally catering for colleges if done by third party companies like Sodexo, And there is no chance you would get anything free of them! Does he not any any sort of grant or bursary for going to college?

    No does not get any grants or bursary as he is going to college as he left school in July and he is 16 so going because he has to go!!!!

    we are not paying for the college.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,323 Forumite
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    When my son went to college, he did get a Bursary because I wasn't working. Some colleges will include a payment for lunch as a part of the Bursary. As far as I know LA's do allow for free 'school' meals up to the age of 19 if you meet certain income criteria.. I would have thought colleges were included in this. Google <name of local authority> and free school meals. This should include a phone number. Try phoning that number and asking if your son can get free meals, if you are in receipt of things like benefits, tax credits, working tax credits. I'd also look at Bursaries. I don't see why your son wouldn't qualify if your income is low enough.

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-bursary-fund-guide-for-2016-to-2017

    Notice it says 16-19.
  • kw5
    kw5 Posts: 24 Forumite
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    My twins are going to college this September as well and they had free school meals at Secondary school. I had to fill a form in and they both now get free school meals at different colleges. Best advice I can give is contact the college, you will have to show proof of entitlement but 2015 college now offer free school meals.

    Hope this helps,

    Kirsty
  • Spendless
    Spendless Posts: 24,150 Forumite
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    Hi

    I've just looked at my own 17yo's FE college as I'm sure I saw something about this when he started last year. (we aren't eligible) My area/college do do them, but it says you have to apply in advance. I'd have a look at your son's college website or ring them.
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 34,685 Forumite
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    paragon909 wrote: »
    Colleges don't provide free meals to students... Normally catering for colleges if done by third party companies like Sodexo, And there is no chance you would get anything free of them! Does he not any any sort of grant or bursary for going to college?
    This may be true of some colleges but definitely not all.
    kw5 wrote: »
    My twins are going to college this September as well and they had free school meals at Secondary school. I had to fill a form in and they both now get free school meals at different colleges. Best advice I can give is contact the college, you will have to show proof of entitlement but 2015 college now offer free school meals.

    Hope this helps,

    Kirsty
    Kirsty is right.
    My friend's daughter gets free meals at college (and free transport on the special bus).
    It depends on what benefits you get.
  • rich_shot2003
    rich_shot2003 Posts: 2,150 Forumite
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    Cheers all.

    Will give the collage a call later today and see what they say.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 17,950 Forumite
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    My daughter started college this week, she's also 16. In the pack we had a few weeks ago which had to be filled in with all her details there was a form for those on low income. Maybe some colleges do it different.
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 34,685 Forumite
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    My friend's daughter's' college had an open evening where they covered all sorts of stuff including free bus travel & free lunches.
  • kingfisherblue
    kingfisherblue Posts: 9,203 Forumite
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    In my area, 16-19 year olds can get free lunch at college depending on the course (A level, BTec, etc). One of my lads is at a specialist engineering college out of borough, but still gets free lunch.

    Post 19, I assumed that my other son would continue to get free lunch at college as he has special needs. Nobody said otherwise during transition, and I didn't think to ask about it. He started on Monday, and I had received a letter a few days earlier telling me that I had to apply to the college for free meals. I've now filled in a bursary form, but in the meantime I (and other parents in the same position) am sending in money for his lunches. Ideally, we would have been advised beforehand and been able to apply for the bursary before term started. Instead, this could take a few weeks to sort out and it is costly.
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