STATEMENT ON THE ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE 16-19 BURSARY FUND SCHEME 2023-24
The 16–19 bursary fund aims to help to ensure every young person can participate in and benefit from a place in 16–19 education. Students from defined vulnerable groups or those experiencing the greatest financial disadvantages will receive support from the fund.
Bursary payments are intended to meet participation-related costs only (e.g. transport, educational visits, books and equipment, university open day visits and interviews) and will be targeted at individual students. The bursary fund is not intended to support non-essential activities or living costs.
A contingency fund will be retained to meet the needs of students whose financial circumstances change during the year.
The school will manage the number and size of discretionary bursaries in order to keep within the budget of the funds available.
ELIGIBILITY
- To be eligible to receive a bursary in the 2023-24 academic year you must be aged 16 or over and under 19 on 31 August 2023.
- You must be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.
- You must be participating in a full time course at Cowley Sixth Form College
ABOUT THE FUND
The fund has two elements:
1. A bursary worth up to £1,200 per year for young people who have a financial need and who are in the following defined vulnerable groups:
• In care
• Care leavers
• Young people in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit in their own right
• Disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments.
2. Discretionary awards made by the college to young people in ways that best fit their needs and circumstances and which are targeted at those who face the greatest financial barriers to participation.
The college has based its assessment criteria for eligibility for a discretionary bursary on the needs and circumstances of our young people and subject to equalities legislation, as follows:
• Students currently eligible for free school meals and whose family income is below £16,190 per year
• Students previously eligible for free school meals and whose family income is below £16,190 per year
• Students from households on incomes less than £30,000 per year
ASSESSMENT AND PAYMENT OF BURSARIES
Please note that students who meet the above criteria will not automatically be awarded a bursary allocation. Students will only receive the amount they actually need to participate in their chosen study programme.
ALL PAYMENTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS
a) A student must maintain 100% attendance each week to be eligible for payment
b) There must be no unauthorised absences during the school day or persistent lateness.
c) Work submissions must be up to date
d) A student must maintain acceptable levels of behaviour, as outlined in the Sixth Form College Charter (no 3 or 4 marks on registers)
In accordance with the Education Funding Agency 16-19 Bursary Fund Guidelines for 2023-24 – best practice, Cowley Sixth Form College will be paying all bursaries ‘in kind’ rather than cash. For example, providing funding for transport, food, compulsory curriculum trips/visits, provision of stationary boxes each term, curriculum materials and equipment – textbooks, revision guides, clothing allowance, funding for UCAS applications, attendance at university interviews.
HOW TO APPLY
If you think you may be entitled to either a vulnerable student or discretionary bursary please complete the application form and submit it during the summer holidays or at the start of the autumn term. The closing date for applications is Friday 8th September, 2023, however if funding is still available, you can apply after this date.
Go to the online application form.
All information received will be treated in strictest confidence and copies of evidence of eligibility will be retained and stored securely for audit purposes.
If your circumstances change during the year and you suddenly fall into the criteria above, you may apply for assistance at any time.
