What is the 16-19 Bursary Fund?
The fund is made available from the government through its funding body – the Education Funding Agency (EFA) for 16-18 year olds – to provide assistance to students whose access to, or completion of education is inhibited by financial constraints or barriers. The funding is intended to help students to meet the cost of travel, books and equipment or other expenses.
Who is eligible to apply for 16-19 Bursary Funding?
Students following government funded full or part-time courses, who are aged 16-18 on 31/08/23, who satisfy one or more of the following criteria:-
- Students who are in care, are leaving care, are in direct receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit, are disabled and in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments.
- Students who are economically or socially disadvantaged and at risk of not taking up or continuing in their education. This group includes students with physical or other disabilities, medical conditions and/or learning difficulties.
- Students who have been in care, on probation, are young parents or are otherwise considered at risk.
- Asylum seekers.
- Refugees (who will have access to 16-19 Bursary Funding if they are in receipt of supportive evidence from DWP).
- Lone parents.
Who is not eligible for 16-19 Bursary Funding?
- Students 16-18 years of age on 31/08/23.
- Students who do not meet the residency qualifications
How does the academy assess applications and allocate 16-19 Bursary funding?
The 16-19 Bursary Fund is a limited fund and the academy will prioritise allocation. There will be 3 priority groups.
Students aged between 16 and 18 on 31/08/22 and who fall into one of the following categories:
- Are currently in care (as defined by social services)
- Are leaving or have recently left care
- Are in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit in their own name.
- Are disabled and in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments
- Students will be awarded the amount of support they need to participate based on an assessment of the types of costs they have.
Payments will be made into the student’s bank account on a termly basis (i.e. 6 times per year)
Students eligible for free school meals or who have been eligible in the previous 6 years may apply for a cash bursary. In determining the amount awarded, the academy may take into account the number of applications received and the funding available.
Payments will be made into the student’s bank account on a termly basis (i.e. 6 times per year)
A small amount of money will be retained by the academy for students who might not be eligible under the first two priorities. This fund will be spent on students from low income families, at the academy’s discretion, and subject to availability after Priority 1 and 2 bursaries have been awarded. Awards may take the form of a small cash bursary or a contribution towards books, equipment, travel, visits, etc. Proof of household income may be required.
Timing of payments will be at the academy’s discretion.
If my application is successful, will I continue to receive payments until the end of the academic year?
Provided that you continue to meet the minimum attendance rate of 90%, and that there are no serious behaviour issues, payments will continue for the full six terms. If you leave the course part way through the year, payments will cease.