The 16-19 Bursary Fund

The Government sets aside some money for schools, colleges, training providers and local authorities to allocate to young people who need financial support to stay on in further education or training. This is called the 16-19 Bursary Fund.  It could help you with any education-related costs that may arise during the school year, including essentials like a meal during the day or transport to your school.

Who can apply?  

To apply for a bursary, you must be at least 16 years old and under 19 years old at the start of the academic year. You must also be taking part in full-time or part-time further education or training. 

How much will I get? 

There are two types of bursaries: 

• Vulnerable student bursary – you could receive up to £1,200 if you:
  • are in local authority care or you have recently left local authority care
  • receive Income Support or Universal Credit in the student’s name
  • are disabled and receive both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in the student’s own name. 
• Discretionary bursary

You can apply for a discretionary bursary if you aren’t eligible for a vulnerable bursary but you need financial help to stay on in further education or training. The school will decide whether you will receive a discretionary bursary, how much you could get, and what it should be used for. Students may be eligible if their families fall into one of the following categories:

• Entitled to free school meals for the student or a sibling.
• Receiving Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

Evidence will be required to support all applications.

What can the bursary fund be used for?

We use the fund to provide students with support to fund: 

• Transport
• Books
• Equipment
• Field trips and other course-related costs
• To continue free school meal provision in the Sixth Form

Full details of how decisions are made and acceptable evidence can be found in the school’s 16-19 Bursary Fund policy attached below.