The 16 – 19 Bursary Fund is the responsibility of the education provider such as the school or college and is intended to support students in financial need through their sixth form studies.  All institutions have been given guidelines on how the Bursary Fund can be distributed to students.   Further details of these guidelines can be found on the ESFA (The Education and Skills Funding Agency) website at:-

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-education-financial-support-for-students#to-19-bursary-fund

Our policy is here: https://wearebsg.uk/documents/2025/09/sixthformbursary.docx/

The Guaranteed Bursary or Vulnerable Bursary

The ESFA has stated that the Fund is aimed at supporting the most vulnerable students.  In order to obtain the guaranteed 16 – 19 Bursary Fund a student must be on a full time programme of study and must fulfil one of the 4 categories below:-

• children in care
• care leavers
• young people in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit
• young people in receipt of both Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments and Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit.

The Discretionary 16 – 19 Bursary

This fund is aimed at students whose families have a gross annual income of below £28,000.

Applications for the 16 – 19 Bursary Fund must be received by 30 September 2025.

Students may be eligible for a contribution towards the cost of transport to and from school, breakfast at school, essential course equipment or requirements such as school visits.

The school may purchase textbooks for you to use and return back to BSG when you have completed your course.

Please indicate your particular needs with estimated costs (e.g. bus fares/books).  Any bursaries granted will be on an individual needs basis.

Further financial support

Applications for financial support towards essential course costs such as trips and other course related activities will be considered on a needs basis.  These will be considered during the school year and will be subject to sufficient funds being available.

How to apply for funding

All initial applications for the 16 – 19 Bursary Fund must be received by 30 September 2025.  We will continue to consider new applications during the school year as family circumstances may change.

Applications must be supported by appropriate evidence.  Examples of evidence include:

• a letter provided by Social Services stating the benefits to which the young person is entitled
• written confirmation from the Local Authority of the young person’s current or previous looked after status
• evidence of entitlement to free school meals
• evidence of the family’s income such as benefit entitlement or P60 or Tax Credit Award Notice

All applications and personal details are treated in the strictest confidence.

Notification of Application

Applicants who have successfully demonstrated their eligibility to receive a bursary, will be notified by letter setting out the conditions of bursary funding, the weekly bursary amount to be paid what the student may apply to the bursary fund for, and whether the school will purchase textbooks that the student may use and then return to the school.

Conditions

All payments will be conditional upon the following:

• full attendance at all timetabled sessions
• any absences must be authorised. See published details in student handbooks
• a satisfactory record of punctuality for registration and lessons
• appropriate standards of behaviour according to our behaviour policy
• satisfactory standards of progress in all subjects
• completion of all course related work

Any bursaries granted may be withdrawn if these conditions are not met.

Appeals

Appeals against eligibility for financial support and for non-payment should be put in writing and addressed to the Clerk to the Governors.  A panel of governors will consider each appeal.

How the money will be paid

Money will be paid on a half termly basis by bank transfer.