Understanding the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund.

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.

There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursaries:

• bursaries for defined vulnerable groups
• discretionary bursaries

Both types of bursary funding are to help eligible students with essential costs of participating such as travel to and from school or college or to buy essential books, equipment, or specialist clothing (protective overalls, for example) that are required for their individual study programme. These are items a student would otherwise need to pay for to participate.

The bursary fund is not intended to provide learning support – services that you give to students, for example, counselling or mentoring - or to support extra-curricular activities that are not essential to the students’ study programme or to provide living costs support.

Bursary Categories:

• Bursaries for Vulnerable Groups: Specifically designed for students with more pronounced needs, reflecting that they’re likely not receiving financial aid from parents or guardians.

Eligibility:

• Students must be aged 16 or over but under 19 on as of 31 August for the relevant academic year.
• In care or are care leavers.

• • Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit due to financial self-support, or supporting a dependent like a child or partner.
  • Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments.

• Discretionary Bursaries: Distributed based on policies set by institutions in accordance with national guidelines.

Both bursary types aim to alleviate financial hindrances, ensuring only the deserving receive this assistance.

Claiming Funds:

• Institutions don’t receive an upfront allocation for bursaries for vulnerable groups. 
• Before making a claim, institutions must confirm a student’s eligibility and assess the needed bursary amount.
• A student may be eligible yet might not have a financial need, which means an institution can decline the bursary request. Similarly, the awarded amount should only match the student’s genuine needs, and not automatically be set to £1,200 if the full amount isn’t necessary.
• For the 2025-2026 academic year, claims can be made via Stacey Perrins whose email is below.

Contact: For more details or questions, please reach out to Stacey Perrins, School Office Manager sperrins@aatrust.co.uk