Application and Eligibility criteria of funds from the 16-19 Bursary Fund 2023-24

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support of up to £1200 to help students overcome the specific financial barriers to participation they face so they can remain in education.

Students who meet the criteria, and who have a financial need, can apply for a bursary for vulnerable groups. The defined groups reflect that these students are unlikely to be receiving financial assistance from parents or carers, so may need a greater level of support to enable them to continue to participate. Students should be awarded the amount of support they need to participate based on an assessment of the types of costs they have and must not be automatically awarded £1,200. Institutions must ensure students are eligible for the bursary for defined vulnerable groups in each year they require support.

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.

If you think you meet the criteria as listed above please complete the form attached and return it to the school office. Applicants are reminded that this form is for consideration only and does not guarantee entitlement.

Inevitably, some students will not qualify or will not receive the level of discretionary funding we would like to provide because of variations in the level of funding from the Education Funding Agency. 

The deadline for initial applications is 20th September 2023. Applications before and after this date will be considered.

Students are reminded that their application will be treated in the utmost confidence and we would encourage students to maintain this confidentiality with other members of the school community. Funds will be made available in line with the 16-19 Bursary Policy, attendance and behaviour criteria.