Bursary Fund

What is the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund?

The 16 to 19 Bursary provides financial support to help students overcome specific barriers to participation so they can remain in education.

The Fund has been allocated to individual providers of Post 16 education for the following purposes:

• Bursaries for defined vulnerable groups of up to £1,200 a year
• Discretionary bursaries targeted towards students who face genuine financial barriers to staying on in education and training to help with costs such as transport, food, books or equipment.

Who is eligible to apply for 16-19 Bursary Funding?

Students following government funded full time or part time courses and satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

• Students aged at least 16 and under 19 years of age on 31/08/24 who are in care; are leaving care; are in direct receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit; are disabled and in receipt of Disability Living allowance and either Employment & Support allowance or Universal Credit; receive Personal Independence payments in your name and either ESA or Universal Credit
• Students who are economically or socially disadvantaged and at risk of not taking up or continuing their education, including those students with physical or other disabilities, mental health and/or learning difficulties
• Students who have been in care, on probation, are young parents or are otherwise considered at risk
• Students who are Asylum Seekers, students who are refugees (who will have access to 16-19 Bursary Funding if they are in receipt of supportive evidence from Dept. of work and pensions)
• Students who are lone parents

Who is not eligible for 16-19 Bursary Funding?

• Students under 16 years of age or over 19 years of age on 31/08/24
• Students who do not meet the residency qualifications
• Students who do not fulfil any of the criteria described above
• Students who fulfil the criteria above but do not have a specific, identifiable financial need

What counts as proof of income?

We will require applicants to provide evidence to support their application for a Bursary unless they are FSM/PP or applying for a designated subject bursary. Evidence can include the following:

• Certified letter from previous school or LA regarding Free School Meals
• Certified letter from the DWP
• P60 (additional evidence is also required)
• Self-Employment Income Evidence
• Other means tested certification (e.g. child or working tax credits)

How will Highworth School assess applications and allocate the 16-19 Bursary Fund?

The 16-19 Bursary Fund is a limited fund and the school will prioritise allocation based on numbers and need. There will be three priority groups categorised as high, medium, and low. Those in the high category will have the first allocation to the Bursary fund. Students who are eligible for any level of funding should complete an application form (bottom of page) and hand it to Ms Archer (Sixth Form Manager) as soon as possible, after admission to the Sixth Form. We consider applications at all levels. Students who are deemed eligible should be aware that they must comply with the Student Contract.

The three groups of the bursary fund are as follows:

Bursary A 

The government has announced that some students may be entitled to a bursary of £1200. You (the learner) could receive this if you are in one of the following categories:

• You are in/have recently left local authority care
• You receive income support or Universal Credit because you are financially supporting yourself
• You receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in your name and either an ESA or Universal Credit
• You receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in your name, and either an ESA or Universal Credit

Payments will be made in two instalments over the course of the year.

Discretionary Bursary

You could receive this level of funding if:

• You have gross annual household income of below £45,000

      OR

• You are in receipt of Free School Meals/are Pupil Premium

      OR

• Your household is in receipt of other income-based means tested benefits

This level of support is intended to be approximately between £300 and £800 per annum. Support is usually given by the purchase of specific items but if considered appropriate, may be made by regular termly payments.

If you think you are eligible for this support, please complete the application form as you may be eligible for a contribution towards the following specific educational purposes:

• The cost of transport, essential course equipment, meals in school, essential course related trips, UCAS fee, travel to open days, course-related sporting activities, co-curricular activities, uniform or other school resources
• Financial support towards exam re-sits if aged 19 or under on 31/08/24

Please note that receipts and invoices may be required.

Subject Bursary

You could receive this level of funding if:

• If you are undertaking one or more of the following subjects: Art, Dance, Music, Photography, Physical Education.

Please note that receipts and invoices may be required.

All financial assistance is subject to the availability of funds. Please also note that bursary awards equal to or higher than the bursary for vulnerable groups maximum can be awarded if an individual student requires this level of funding to participate or stay in education.

The information provided is correct at time of publication but may be subject to change in line with Government guidelines.

Please find the application form available to download and print below.

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