The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome specific barriers to participation so they can remain in education.
There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursaries:
a vulnerable bursary of up to £1,200 a year for young people in one of the defined vulnerable groups
discretionary bursaries which institutions award to meet individual needs, for example, help with the cost of transport, meals, books and equipment.
Institutions are responsible for managing both types of bursary. Students who want to apply for support from the bursary fund should contact their chosen institution to make an application.
To be eligible for the bursary students must:
be aged 16 or over but under 19 at 31 August 2017 or
be aged 19 or over at 31 August 2017 and have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
be aged 19 or over at 31 August 2017 and continuing on a study programme they began aged 16 to 18 (‘19+ continuers’)
meet the residency criteria in ESFA 2017 to 2018 academic year funding regulations for post-16 provision
be participating in provision that is subject to inspection by a public body which assures quality (such as Ofsted), the provision must also be either funded directly by ESFA or by ESFA via a local authority otherwise publicly funded and lead to a qualification (up to and including Level 3) accredited by Ofqual or pursuant to Section 96 or the Learning and Skills Act 2000 a 16 to 19 traineeship programme
To be eligible for the vulnerable bursary, students must be in one of the defined vulnerable groups:
in care
care leavers
in receipt of Income Support, or Universal Credit in place of Income Support, in their own right
in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit and Disability Living or Personal Independence Payments in their own right
For vulnerable bursaries, institutions draw down funding (by submitting a funding claim) from the Student Bursary Support Service (SBSS) when they have identified students who meet the vulnerable bursary criteria.
To be eligible for the discretionary bursary, students must be facing financial barriers to participation and need help to stay in education.
