16-19 Bursary Fund
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund is money the government has given to local authorities, schools, colleges and other education and training providers to give to students who need financial help to stay in education. Funding is limited and is based on funds allocated by the ESFA (Education & Skills Funding Agency).
What is the 16-19 Bursary Fund?
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund is money the government has given to local authorities, schools, colleges and other education and training providers to give to students who need financial help to stay in education. Funding is limited and is based on funds allocated by the ESFA (Education & Skills Funding Agency). To qualify, the young person must:
· be aged 16 but under 19 on 31 August in the academic year in which they start their programme of study
· be undertaking a full-time course at Presdales School funded by the EFSA
· meet the residency criteria in ESFA funding regulations
There are two types of bursaries:
● A vulnerable bursary of up to £1,200 a year for young people in one of the defined vulnerable groups listed below
● Discretionary bursaries that institutions award to meet individual needs such as transport, meals, books and equipment.
Bursaries for Vulnerable Young People
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. 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
The bursary for vulnerable groups can pay up to £1,200 per year to a student participating on study programme that lasts for 30 weeks or more if they need that amount of support.
Evidence of eligibility will be required for the vulnerable student bursary, for example, a letter detailing the entitlement benefits or written confirmation of current or previous looked after status.
Discretionary bursaries
Institutions make discretionary bursary awards to help students with the cost of travel, to buy essential books, equipment or specialist clothing (such as protective overalls, for example). These are items the student would otherwise need to pay for in order to participate. The bursary fund is not intended to provide learning support – services that institutions give to students – for example, counselling or mentoring, or to support extra-curricular activities where these are not essential to the students’ study programme. In keeping with the current practice of financial support for school activities, Presdales School may provide bursaries to support students’ costs for those whose parents are entitled to any of the following state benefits:
· Free school meals (now or was in Year 11)
· Income Support/Universal Credit
· Income based jobseekers allowance
· Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
· The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
· Child Tax Credit, provided the parent is not entitled to Working Tax Credit
· Be able to demonstrate unexpected need due to change in financial circumstances
Parents will need to provide proof of entitlement to the benefits prior to payment.
Entitlement expectations
Students will be expected to sign a 16-19 Bursary Agreement that outlines the expectations Presdales School has with regard to attendance and standards of behaviour. Students eligible for the 16-19 Bursary must meet the criterion of 100% attendance, unless absence is authorised.
Applications
Parents and students should complete the application form and send it to our Business Manager with supporting evidence. The process of application and payments will remain confidential.
The above commitment will be cash limited based on the available funds allocated by the EFA annually. The school reserves the right to withdraw the entitlement to a Discretionary Bursary should circumstances change.
