16-19 Bursary Information

 The 16-19 Bursary Fund is paid by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to Schools and Colleges so that they may provide financial help to students whose access to or completion of education might be inhibited by financial consideration.

  • Students wishing to claim from the Discretionary (see 2 below) 16 – 19 Bursary Fund will fall into three categories.
  • Students who believe that they are eligible must apply by Friday 11 October 2024

You must read this document carefully to ensure that you fully understand the requirements of the Bursary Fund and that you do not miss important application deadlines

Application forms are available from the Sixth Form Office or by clicking the link to the right

Categories of Bursary Fund

  1. Vulnerable Student Bursary

Vulnerable students are defined as:

  • Young people in care, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
  • Care leavers
  • Young people personally in receipt of income support or universal credit
  • Disabled young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance

If you believe that you fall into this category of bursary, you should be eligible for a payment of up to £1,200 for the academic year.

You do not need to read further in this guidance but should complete the appropriate section of the application form at the end of this pack and submit this immediately.

 

  1. Discretionary Student Bursary

Your own or your family’s financial situation may entitle you to some support to enable you to continue successfully in your education.  The income thresholds and the procedure for allocating the funds are detailed below.

Step 1: Eligible applicants are identified as falling under one of the three income tiers as outlined below.

  • Student Tier A – Students who have successfully claimed Free School Meals for the current academic year or whose Household income is less than £16,190.

Evidence: Free School Meals evidence on school system (no evidence required)

Income less than £16,000O – Working Tax Credit annual statement letter 2022/2023 from HMRC or 3 Months evidence of Universal Credit award, clearly showing household income. (All pages of each document MUST be submitted with the application to enable the application to be processed)

  • Student Tier B – Students whose home Household income is less than £20,817.

Evidence: Original Working Tax Credit annual statement letter 2022/2023 from HMRC or 3 months evidence of Universal Credit award, clearly showing household income.

(All pages of each document MUST be submitted with the application to enable the application to be processed)

  • Student Tier C – Students whose home Household income is less than £25,000.

Evidence: Original Working Tax Credit annual statement letter 2022/2023 from HMRC or 3 months evidence of Universal Credit award, clearly showing household income.

(All pages of each document MUST be submitted with the application to enable the application to be processed)

  1. Conditions of Funding

Student’s attendance, timekeeping and general conduct will be reviewed at pre-set dates throughout the year.  To ensure payments are given, students must have zero unauthorised absences since the last review or since the start of the course

Students who are eligible should be aware that the additional financial support they receive in the form of the grant should be used to help offset costs linked to their education, for example: Transport, Books, Equipment Hardship Costs, Additional Course Costs (trips and residential visits). Students may be required to provide proof of purchase before the payment is made.  The deadline date for completion of this form is Friday 7th October The form must be completed by both the student who is applying for the bursary and the parent/carer  

Students in receipt of this grant funding will not be eligible or granted any further financial support from the school in help towards these costs.

Students will also be required to inform the college of changes in their financial circumstances.

 

  1. In-Year Applications and the Contingency Fund

    Applications made after the deadline date of Friday 7th October will be from the Contingency Fund (10% of total Bursary Fund Centre allocation). An estimate of the “residual funds” figure will be made by the Bursary Fund Panel and Steps 1, 2 and 3 applied as above. Applications made after the deadline will be pro-rata based on the student enrolment date and academic year.

  1. Procedure for Application
  • Students and Parents/Carers are advised to make sure correct 2022/23 evidence

(All pages of each document MUST be submitted with the application to enable the application to be processed)

The applications will then be logged and checked before being passed to the Business Manager at the College.  The Bursary Fund Panel will consider each claim and make decisions in accordance with the fund guidelines.

Appeals must be made in writing to the Business Manager within 4 weeks of the panel decisions, explaining clearly what is being appealed and why changing these decisions is thought to be incorrect.  An additional meeting of the panel may be called and additional evidence to support the appeal may be required.  Please note, the college is bound by the terms and conditions of the grant and can only make awards to those who fully meet the eligibility and who can provide original evidence.

All information supplied will be treated in the strictest confidence throughout the process and all original documentation will be returned once the applications have been verified.

 

  1. Timing and Amount of Payments
  • Students are only eligible for payments if they are legitimately enrolled and attending as defined by the criteria
  • The amount of funding allocated to each student will be paid in instalments (to be confirmed)
  • This arrangement is to allow time for students’ effort and attendance to be reviewed at the start of every half term, prior to payments being made.

 

Important Notes

  • All payments will be made via BACS* IN THE NAME OF THE STUDENT
  • We are unable to make payments to anyone other than the student
  • Students should ensure they have a bank account in their own name through which to receive funds
  • If a partial allocation is made, the payments will be related proportionately.

 

*BACS stands for Bank Automated Clearing System and means that the payment is made directly into your bank account.

 

 

Bursary Application Form 2024