16-19 Bursary Information

16 – 19 Bursary Fund Policy

2024-25 Academic Year (September 2024) 

2024-25 Bursary Fund Application Form (September 2024- August 2025)

 What is the Bursary Fund ?

The Government’s Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) provides a limited amount of money to Schools and Academies to pass on to students aged 16 to 19 in full –time education so that financial barriers to education can be reduced or removed.  Bursary awards will typically be allocated to fund course related costs such as books, educational equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) but will also be allocated to assist with transport costs, catering, field trips, university open days and UCAS fees.

Eligibility

A student must be aged 16 or over but under 19 at 31 August 2024 to be eligible for help from the bursary fund in the 2024 to 2025 academic year.  You must also be taking part in full-time or part-time further education or training.  Students must meet the residency criteria that can be found here. 

There are two categories of Bursary payments as per Category ‘A’ and ‘B’ below.

 CATEGORY ‘A’ – Vulnerable Group

 To qualify the student must be aged 16-19 and in one of the following groups: 

• In care
• A care leaver
• In receipt of Income Support (IS) or Universal Credit (UC).
• Are disabled

You will receive a guaranteed bursary of up to  £1,200 per annum allocated in two parts:

 CATEGORY ‘B’ – Discretionary

Your household income is £35,000 or under inclusive of any DWP Benefits.

Subject to attendance and learning agreement conditions, students can claim financial assistance to meet the cost of:

Transport

The cost of monthly travel pass ( current cost £39.00) will be met by the Academy for eligible students.

Books (including revision guides)

Essential books or other learning materials may be provided for you by the Academy depending on your course –  please contact your subject leader.

Educational equipment

Essential educational equipment will be provided for you by the Academy, please contact  your subject leader. This may, for example, include a scientific calculator, design technology or art materials.

Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (PPE)

This will be provided by the Academy, at no cost to you.

Catering

Assistance towards meals.

UCAS Fees

Once eligibility for Bursary is determined, the Academy will pay your UCAS fee.

Field Trips

The Academy will meet a maximum of 50% of the cost of any essential field trips that form part of your course of study.

University Open Days

The Academy will meet up to 50% of any reasonable travel costs incurred for up to three university open days subject to approval by the Head or Assistant Head of Sixth Form.  We will need confirmation of the travel dates, location and travel costs to facilitate the refund.

Attendance

Eligibility for all bursary payments will be withdrawn for any students whose attendance falls below 90% without the appropriate authorisation.

The total annual amount available in any given year for discretionary bursaries depends on student numbers and demand for financial support and so payments may be subject to change.

Students are also entitled to apply for Free School Meals:

Students living in Kirklees can apply online at www.kirklees.gov.uk.

 To Apply for the 16-19 Bursary

• Complete all the sections of the online application form on our website
• Please ensure you submit all information requested in the application form to [email protected]
• The initial closing date for discretionary bursary applications is Friday 13 September 2024. 
• Further applications for the discretionary bursary will be accepted throughout the year.
• Payments or re-imbursement will be made into your bank account – please ensure details are provided on your application form.
• Year 13 students who previously received the bursary in year 12 need to re-apply for assistance in 2024/2025.

Any queries with your application will be followed up by email.  Please ensure you check your emails as the application will not be considered further if we do not receive a response.

Decision Making

Each application will be reviewed on its own merits. In extenuating circumstances, the Academy reserves the right to make awards to individual students who do not necessarily meet all of the listed criteria, as long as they meet the base criteria set by the ESFA.  Bursaries will be granted based on the information provided.  Funds will only be granted where a genuine need for assistance has been demonstrated. Not all applications will be successful. The funding available is limited, and with the exception of the guaranteed bursaries, awards will not be guaranteed. Students who apply later in the year after the budget has been allocated may not be granted an award, unless they are classed as category A.

Appeals/Complaints Procedure

An appeals process exists so that if a student or parent / carer wish to appeal against a decision regarding support from The Fund, they are treated equally and given the right to appeal.  The matter will be referred initially to the Finance Director. The Academy’s procedure is designed to ensure that students have a full opportunity to raise, individually or collectively, matters of concern to them, without fear of disadvantage and in the knowledge that privacy and confidentiality will be respected.  Decisions will be confirmed via email.

Bursary Appeal Application Form

Payments

The total annual amount available in any given year for discretionary bursaries depends on student numbers and demand for financial support and so payments may be subject to change.

The Academy will try and ensure that the first payments of the academic year are made in October however, this depends on the number of applications that require assessment, and whilst awards will be backdated you may need to allow for this.

Once the bursary application has been approved, payments are made on or around the last Friday of each month, subject to any supporting evidence, i.e. proof of purchase, being provided by the middle of the month.

Please note it is not the responsibility of the school to place orders for any resources on your behalf.  You are required to purchase these upfront and provide proof of purchase to facilitate reimbursement.  If you wish to check whether items are eligible for reimbursement please contact your Head of Year, or email [email protected]

Bursary payments may be reduced if students have several instances of negative behaviour recorded on the student behaviour records system.

Students must notify the Academy of any changes in their circumstances throughout the year, they will not normally be expected to repay an award, but their entitlement to further payments may be affected. Students are not allowed to have debts with the Academy. Vulnerable and Discretionary Bursary awards will be reduced by the amount of any outstanding debts.

Confidentiality

The Academy will ensure that applications are handled confidentially.  For audit purposes, however, hard copies of all documentation for bursary funding will be kept for a period of six years.  The information will be made available for audit purposes.  Some records may be computerised but these will be held securely and in compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Equality Act 2010

No applicant will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Contact Us

If you would like help completing the application form or have any queries, please contact your Head of Year or alternatively email [email protected]