16 to 19 Bursary Fund
Providers of education (schools, academies, sixth form colleges, general education colleges and independent learning providers) have been given allocation by the Young People' Learning Agency for the 16 – 19 Bursary Fund.
The purpose of the Bursary is to provide exceptional support to students aged 16-19 who are experiencing financial difficulty with meeting the costs associated with learning.
The Bursary Fund allocation has been calculated based on the numbers of learners who received level 1 EMA in 2009/10 multiplied by a funding rate of £190 per learner.
The amount received by different providers varies considerably and is in all cases much less than the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
There are clear priority groups for accessing this bursary and criteria against which young people are entitled to receive it.
How to apply for the bursary fund
If you think you are entitled to access this fund, you should contact the school, college or work based learning provider you attend.
Priority groups for bursary support
- Young people in care, care leavers, young people in receipt of Income Support and disabled young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance will be eligible to receive a bursary of £1,200 a year.
- Young people who meet the criteria for Free School Meals will be able to apply for a discretionary bursary. The amount of this will vary according to the numbers of young people who are eligible and the size of the allocation made to the provider.
- The remainder of the allocation (if any) may be used as a hardship fund to meet other educational needs such as one off assistance with educational visits.
Statement of principles
The bursary should be based on high levels of attendance and punctuality.
- The bursary should be applied consistently and fairly.
- The process for applying for a bursary must be easily understood and accessible to young people.
Statement of practice
- The bursary should be distributed on the basis of a minimum of 95 per cent attendance (or attendance targets).
- The bursary should be distributed on the basis of a minimum of 95 per cent punctuality.
- The bursary should be paid at the end of each half term into a bank account in the recipient's name.
- There should be a clear appeals process for young people or their parents/guardians.