16-19 Bursary Fund

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome the specific financial barriers to participation they face so they can remain in education.

There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursaries:

• bursaries for defined vulnerable groups
• discretionary bursaries that institutions award using policies they set, in line with these funding rules

Bursary funding is to help eligible students with costs such as travel to and from school or college or buying essential books, equipment or specialist clothing (such as protective overalls, for example) that are required for their study programme. These are items the student would otherwise need to pay for to participate.

The Bursary Fund is not intended to provide learning support – services that you give to students, for example, counselling or mentoring – or to support extra-curricular or non-compulsory activities that are not essential to the students’ study programme or to provide living costs support.

Bursary for students in vulnerable groups

If a student is in one of the nationally nominated vulnerable groups and there is a financial need can apply for a bursary of up to £1200.

The defined vulnerable groups are students who are:

• in care
• care leavers
• receiving Income Support (IS), or Universal Credit (UC) because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner
• receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in their own right

The managed move of legacy benefits claimants to UC means that new claims for the legacy benefits have not been possible since 2018.  

These payments will be made at the end of every term following the deductions made for expenses incurred during the term.

These deductions include payments for the following:-

• Weekly £2.00 contribution to class money for educational visits
• Payment for residential -£275 (if attended)
• Equipment / uniform required for school and work experience opportunities
• Any other costs incurred to which we will give you prior notification.

Please note that if these costs are not incurred then it is likely that a reduced bursary will be paid.

Payments will be made into student bank accounts, where possible.

Discretionary Bursaries

If your child is entitled to free school meals they are entitled to a discretionary bursary.

No cash payments will be made and these funds will be used to pay for the following:-

• Contribution towards Residential  - £275
• Additional £3 required for dinner at college
• Equipment / uniform required for school and work experience opportunities

 

For further information 16 to 19 Bursary Fund: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)