16-19 bursary fund latest guidelines

https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund

What is the bursary fund?

The 16-19 bursary fund is a scheme to help the most vulnerable young people between the ages of 16 and 19 to continue in full time education. It is money the government has given to local authorities, schools, colleges and other education and aiming providers to give to disadvantaged students. It’s purpose is to provide financial support to help students overcome specific barriers to participation, so they can remain in education.
A bursary can help with education related costs if the young person is aged 16-19 and is:

⁃ under 19 at the start of the academic year that the bursary is needed for
⁃ Studying at school or college in England
⁃ On a training course, including unpaid work experience.

A bursary is money that a young person, or education or training provider can use to pay for things such as:

⁃ clothing, books and equipment
⁃ Transport and lunch on days of study or training.

Types of bursary

Vulnerable young persons bursary.

Bursaries of £1,200 per year can be claimed for the most vulnerable depending on individual circumstances and benefits received.
The young person can receive up to £1,200 if at least 1 of the following applies:

⁃ In or recently left local authority care
⁃ In receipt of income support (or universal credit in place of income support) in the young persons name.
⁃ Young person is disabled and receives both Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in the young persons name.

The young person may get the full amount if they study full time on a course of at least 30 weeks or they may receive less or no bursary if the course is shorter, they study part time or have few expenses. 

Discretionary bursary

A discretionary bursary can be provided if the young person needs financial help but doesn’t qualify for a vulnerable young persons bursary and would find it difficult to stay in education without financial support for specific requirements such as transport, meals, books and equipment. The school receives a small fixed bursary every year which is distributed amongst those students who qualify for it against set criteria.

At Montacute School we want to ensure that discretionary funding reaches students most in need of financial support. The amount awarded will be determined on an individual basis. In order to be fair and treat students equally the application for this support will be assessed on financial circumstances as certified by written evidence of family financial background (see the full list attached).

At Montacute we want to ensure that discretionary funding reaches students most in need of financial support. The amount awarded will be determined on an individual basis. In order to be fair and treat students equally the application for this support will be assessed on financial circumstances as certified by written evidence of family financial background e.g. DWP benefit letter or a local authority letter proving eligibility for council tax benefit.

Other criteria we can consider include:
• Household income
• Free school meals eligibility
• Receipt of benefits
• Wider family circumstances eg single parent family or where there are a large number of siblings

Who decides who will get money?

Decisions will be made by a panel consisting of the senior leadership team and a governor, who will meet 3 times per year in November, February and May.

How will young people receive their bursary?

Schools will determine the way in which the young person receives their bursary. This will usually be a direct payment administered by school or it may be on the production of a receipt for equipment already bought.

Schools will make receipt of a bursary conditional on a young person meeting expected standards for example of attendance. Should a young persons attendance fall below 90% they will forfeit their bursary.

How to apply

Parents will need to apply directly to the school using the standard request form, detailing the amount they wish to apply for and what it will be used for.
In order to meet the deadline for the panel, applications to be received by the last school day of each half term, attaching any receipts of purchases, or the relevant documents as detailed on the application form.
Decisions will be made by the bursary panel.
Payments will only be made if adequate funding is received by the school from the student bursary support service.

All applications will be dealt with confidentially.

Managing the bursary funding

The schools finance manager will keep an account of income and expenditure in order to complete end of year returns.
Montacute School reserves the right to use up to 5% of the bursary fund to meet administrative costs.
School will keep records of the application forms and of how the funding is allocated for business planning and auditing purposes.
Planned expenditure will be agreed with individual students as appropriate and/or with the family.

Appeals procedure.

Students or their parents/carers who wish to appeal against the decision may do so by letter to the school. Each individual case will be considered by the head teacher and governors.
The outcome of the appeal will be communicated to the applicant by letter