The 16 to 19 bursary fund provides financial support to help students overcome the specific financial barriers to participation they face so they can remain in education. This fund can help students with education-related costs that may arise during the school year, including costs towards transport, learning resources, specialist clothing and the cost of participating in trips, activities and events.

Applications for 25/26 can be made for students that are 16 or over and under 19 on 31st August 2025. The closing date for applications is 14th November 2025.

Our policy aims to set out clear and transparent processes for the use and allocation of 16 to 19 bursary funds. Please read through the attached policy to ensure eligibility before submitting an application.

There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursaries:

• Bursaries for defined vulnerable groups

• Discretionary bursaries

Bursaries for young people in defined vulnerable groups 

Students with a financial need, who meet 1 of the following 4 criteria below, in addition to the criteria outlined in the policy, can apply for a bursary for vulnerable groups.

The defined vulnerable groups are students who are:

• In care (NB: those who are privately fostered are not classed as looked after);
• Care leavers;
• Receiving Income Support (IS) or Universal Credit (UC) because they are financially supporting themselves, or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner; or
• Receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) in their own right, as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in their own right

Discretionary bursaries

In addition to the criteria outlined in the policy, students can apply for a discretionary bursary if they satisfy 1 or more of the following criteria:

• Entitlement to Free School Meals
• Household income needs to be below £25,000 per year
• The student or their family is in receipt of Universal Credit

Students/ families who do not satisfy any of the criteria listed in this section, but who are able to demonstrate financial hardship arising from other reasons, may apply for a discretionary bursary.

Applications should be submitted using the the below link. Word and PDF versions of the application forms have also been provided below should you be unable to submit using the link. Paper copies can be provided upon request.