16-19 Bursary Fund Application


The 16-19 Bursary Fund helps 16- to 19-year-olds with education-related costs to enable them to continue in education.


The different types of additional support available to young people aged 16-19 who commence their training in the year 2024/2025 include:

  • Vulnerable Bursary - Bursaries of £1,200 per year to the most vulnerable young people
  • Discretionary Bursary - A discretionary fund if you need financial help but do not qualify for a bursary for students in vulnerable groups


Students can apply for one or other of the bursaries according to their financial circumstances.

To be eligible to receive a bursary in the 2024/25 academic year, a student must be aged 16 to 18 at the start of the academic year in which they start a programme of study, i.e. 31st August 2024. If they turn 19 during the course of the programme students can continue to be supported until the end of the academic year, or to the end of the programme of study, whichever is sooner.



To be eligible for a Vulnerable Bursary of up to £1,200, students meet one of the following categories and provide the following evidence:

  • Students in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit in their own name and disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (or Personal Independent payments) - A current letter setting out the benefit to which the student is entitled to
  • For those students who are in care, looked after in care or care leavers - written confirmation of the students current or previous looked after status from the local authority which looks after the student or provides their leaving care services. (this must be an official document from the local authority – i.e. an email or letter that is current).


Other students may be eligible for a Discretionary bursary; we will endeavour to target our bursary awards towards students facing financial barriers to continuing with their education. The amount that will be paid will be based on a financial assessment of each individual application and will be dependent on the number of applications received and the size of the bursary fund by the government. Parents / Carers will be requested to supply current documentation evidencing their financial situation for the previous year as proof of income and / or earnings. Students currently or previously in receipt of free school meals are not automatically entitled to receive a bursary, but this may be taken into account. All supporting documentation must be current or dated within the last year.


To continue to receive a bursary all students must satisfy the following conditions:

  • The student must meet the condition of standards of attendance and behaviour as detailed in the Brighter Futures Training Agreement and Code of Conduct and discussed in induction
  • The student must show the required commitment to their studies at all times



Changes in Circumstances during the Academic Year

A small bursary contingency pot will be retained so that some support can be made available in the event of a sudden deterioration in the financial circumstances of a student. Likewise, payments may be adjusted to take account of improvements in a student’s circumstances..


Application

Those wishing to apply for a bursary must complete the bursary application form, via the link provided below.

Applications should be submitted to within the first 4 weeks of starting the programme.

Bursary Application form 2024/2025
Bursary Fund Protocol 2024-2025


Decisions

All applications will be considered and assessed by the Bursary Team. The Student/ Parent/ Carer will be notified of the decision, and an indication of the amount, if applicable, within 10 working days of receipt of the application. You have the right to appeal if you feel that your case has not been given fair consideration. This must be in writing and be received by Brighter Futures within 10 working days of the date of notification.


Queries

Any queries relating to an application or distribution of funds should be made to bursary@sysco.uk.com in the first instance.


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