16 to 19 Bursary Fund 2026/27

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome financial barriers that might prevent them from participating fully in their education.

There are two types of bursary available:

1. Bursary for students in defined vulnerable groups
2. Discretionary bursary

All applications are considered individually. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically result in a particular level of financial support. The amount and type of support provided will be based on the student's actual financial need and the essential costs they face in participating in their education.

Who can apply?

Students will normally be eligible to apply if they are aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2026 and meet the relevant residency requirements.

Students aged 19 or over may be eligible for a discretionary bursary if they:

• have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan; or
• are continuing on the same study programme they began when aged 16 to 18.

Bursary for students in defined vulnerable groups

Students may be eligible for support of up to £1,200 per academic year if they are:

• in care;
• a care leaver;
• receiving Income Support or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves, or themselves and someone dependent upon them who lives with them; or
• receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit in their own right.

Eligibility for one of these groups does not automatically entitle a student to £1,200.

The school will assess the student's individual financial needs and the actual costs of participating in their study programme. The amount awarded may therefore be less than £1,200. In some circumstances, a student may meet the eligibility criteria but not require financial support because their participation costs are already being met.

Evidence of eligibility will be required.

Discretionary bursary

The school also receives funding to provide discretionary financial assistance to students experiencing financial hardship.

For 2026/27, the school will normally prioritise applications within the following household income bands:

Band 1: Household income of £16,000 or below

Band 2: Household income between £16,001 and £24,000

Being within one of these income bands establishes eligibility for consideration but does not provide an automatic entitlement to a fixed payment or package of support.

Each application will include an assessment of the student's individual circumstances and the actual costs they face in participating in Sixth Form.

Students whose household income is above £24,000 may also approach the Sixth Form team where exceptional financial circumstances create a significant barrier to their participation in education.

What can the bursary help with?

Depending upon individual circumstances, support may be available towards essential educational costs including:

• travel to and from school;
• essential books and learning materials;
• equipment or specialist clothing required for a student's courses;
• essential educational visits directly related to the student's study programme;
• meals where financial hardship creates a barrier to participation;
• essential costs associated with university open days, interviews or other post-18 progression activities where appropriate;
• other essential participation costs identified through the individual assessment.

Support will only be provided for costs that are genuinely necessary to enable the student to participate in education.

The bursary cannot normally be used for general living costs, non-essential extracurricular activities, counselling, mentoring or additional tuition.

How will support be provided?

Where appropriate, the school may:

• purchase items directly;
• provide items or support in kind;
• arrange or purchase travel;
• make payments directly to appropriate providers; or
• reimburse agreed expenditure.

Students may be asked to provide receipts or other evidence of actual costs.

The type of support offered will depend upon the student's individual circumstances and the most appropriate way of meeting the identified financial need.

Evidence of household income

Applicants for the discretionary bursary will be required to provide appropriate evidence of household income.

This may include:

• recent Universal Credit statements;
• evidence of earnings;
• P60s or other evidence of annual income;
• evidence of relevant benefits; or
• other financial documentation requested by the school.

The school may request further information where this is necessary to make a fair assessment.

Students receiving discretionary support may also be asked to confirm that their household circumstances have not significantly changed.

Changes in circumstances and emergency support

We recognise that financial circumstances can change during the academic year.

Students experiencing unexpected financial hardship should speak to the Sixth Form team even if they have not previously applied for bursary support or do not normally fall within the school's income thresholds.

In cases of severe hardship, temporary emergency assistance with essential meals or travel may be available while a full bursary assessment is completed.

Attendance

Bursary support is intended to enable students to participate in their education.

Where continuing financial support is linked to attendance, students will be informed of this when an award is agreed. The school will take account of individual circumstances, including authorised absence, before deciding whether support should be withheld.

How to apply

Students should complete the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund Application Form 2026/27 and provide the requested supporting evidence.

Applications should be submitted by: DATE TBC

Applications received after this date will still be considered, but awards will depend upon individual circumstances and the funding remaining available.

Students should not delay speaking to the Sixth Form team if financial difficulties are affecting their ability to attend or participate in their education.

Decisions and confidentiality

Applications will be treated confidentially.

The school will assess:

• whether the student meets the eligibility requirements;
• household financial circumstances, where applicable;
• the student's individual financial needs;
• the actual essential costs associated with participating in their study programme; and
• the bursary funding available to the school.

The school must manage its discretionary bursary allocation within the funding available. Consequently, eligibility does not guarantee that all requested costs will be met.

Students will be informed of the outcome of their application and the support that has been agreed.

Further information

The school's arrangements are based on the Department for Education's 16 to 19 Bursary Fund Guide 2026 to 2027.

Students or parents/carers who would like to discuss an application or a change in financial circumstances should contact the Sixth Form team.