16-19 Bursary Fund

The 16-19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome specific barriers so they can remain in education. Examples could include:

• a bus pass so the student can attend school,
• a laptop so the student can complete their schoolwork,
• payment for a school trip that is related to their studies
• equipment such as art materials, stationery, textbooks, revision guides
• purchasing of specialist clothing that may be required for a subject course.

The 16-19 Bursary Fund cannot be used to provide learning support (e.g. tutoring, mentoring, counselling), extra-curricular activities which are not essential to a student’s studies and general living costs. The above limits are subject to available funds.

To be eligible to receive a bursary the student must be aged over 16 but under 19 on 31st August in the relevant academic year. Students must also satisfy EFA residency criteria (full details available on request).

Applications are welcome to be submitted throughout the academic year if family circumstances change.

As per the Government guidance, receipt of Bursary funding does not affect receipt of other means tested benefits paid to families.

Level 1 – Vulnerable Group Bursary

The defined vulnerable groups are students who are:

• in care
• care leavers
• receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit in their own name
• receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own name as well as Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own name.

Or

Level 2 – Discretionary Bursary

Students who have an identifiable financial need. As a guide, we will consider applications from families with total household income, including all benefits, of up to £25,000 per annum. We would not normally expect to offer financial support to families with total household income of over £25,000 per annum, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Full information which regards to applying for bursary are within the bursary policy which can be found here.

Applications should be made on the 16-19 Bursary Fund Application Form requesting the correct level of Bursary below.

Level 1 – Vulnerable Group Bursary

Level 2 – Discretionary Bursary

This completed application form, along with copies of the required evidence should be submitted for the attention of the Sixth Form Administrator either electronically or in paper format to the Sixth Form Office. The information disclosed will only be shared with the Bursary Panel for decision-making purposes. The application form and copies of the evidence will also be securely kept for audit purposes. Our approach will always respect confidentiality, and will be sensitive to need, always seeking to help where we possibly can.