16-19 Bursary fund

This fund is designed to help support those young people who face the greatest barriers to continuing in education post 16. The fund has two elements: the Guaranteed Bursary for vulnerable young people and the Discretionary Bursary for young people facing financial barriers to participation. These funds can be used by the students to help pay for the costs related to participation in full-time education, such as the costs of transport, meals, books and equipment.

Age of Applicants

To be eligible to apply for assistance, a student must be under 19 on 31 August in the academic year in which they start their programme of study. Where a person turns 19 during their programme of study, they can be supported to the end of the academic year in which they turn 19, or to the end of the programme of study, whichever is sooner.

Guaranteed Bursary

The following nominated vulnerable groups are eligible to receive a bursary of £1,200 a year:

      students in care

      students who are care leavers

      students in receipt of Income Support

      disabled students in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance

Students will need to complete an application form and supply evidence of eligibility as appropriate before payments are made. Payments are made on a weekly basis into the bank account of the student.

Discretionary Bursary

In the academic year 2012-2013 this bursary is available to students whose family income is £16,910 or less. To be eligible students will have to complete an application form and provide evidence showing that the parents/guardians are in receipt of any of the following:

 Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

 Income-based Employment & Support Allowance

 Income Support

 Guaranteed element of Pension Credit

 Working and/or Child Tax Credits with an income that does not exceed £16,910

The level of support which the College can offer is dependent on the total funding received and the numbers of applications it receives. The level of support offered may vary during the academic year and is dependent on the amount of funds available. Payment is made on a half termly basis into the student’s internal College account.

Payment Conditions

Eligible students for the Guaranteed and Discretionary Bursaries will have to sign an Agreement before any payments can be made and payments may be withheld if the student does not comply with the criteria listed on the Agreement relating to:

 Attendance

 Behaviour

 Punctuality

For further information on what the money credited to your account can be spent on please click here .

If you believe that you are eligible for this fund you can download an application form here or collect one from the College.

To see the College’s Policy please click here .