16-19 Bursary

The bursary funding is money allocated by the government to schools to provide help to young people staying on in sixth form by funding education-related costs that may arise during the school year, including extra help to buy additional books, clothing or equipment for a course, or to pay for educational visits.

If you are aged between 16 and 19 years and think you might struggle with the costs for full-time education in the Sixth Form you may be eligible to receive a bursary. To qualify, you must be aged under 19 on 31st August in the academic year in which you start your programme of study and be a legal resident of the UK or a registered asylum seeker.

Application Process

Written application forms for financial support are invited from students or their parents in confidence to Mrs Bingham. The academy will require evidence of financial need to satisfy our auditors, and financial support will be dependent on students meeting agreed standards of attendance, punctuality and progress with their studies.

Those who may be eligible for support are asked to complete an application form which is available here.

Allocation of Funds

The Highcrest Academy is responsible for awarding bursaries to its students. With the exception of high priority bursaries for students most in need, the amount paid to other students is at the academy’s discretion.

As 16-19 Bursary Fund is a limited fund and the academy will prioritise allocation according to the bursary funding allocated to the academy by the EFSA.There will be 3 priority groups, categorised as high, medium and low.

1 High priority group (£1200)

You could get this if you are in one of the following defined vulnerable groups:

You are living in care
Recently left care
You, the Learner, are getting Income Support (IS) or Universal Credit (UC) in your own right
You, the Learner, are getting Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments in your own right

The academy must obtain proof that students meet the criteria for the bursary for vulnerable groups in full. In other words, that they are in receipt of the specified benefits in their own name or that they fully meet the definitions for in care/care leavers. Institutions should ask for evidence from each student and retain copies for audit purposes. Please see the Bursary policy for details of evidence required.

2 Medium priority group (up to £800)

You could receive this level of funding if:

You have a gross annual household income of below £20,000 OR
You are in receipt of Free School Meals

Your household is in receipt of other income-based means tested benefits.

Please see the Bursary policy for details of evidence required.

Those in medium priority will be considered for funding based on the school’s allocation and are subject to available funding after those in high priority have been awarded.

3 Low priority group (up to £200)

You could receive this level of funding if:

You have a gross annual household income of between £20,000 and

£25,000

You have an identifiable financial need and do not fall into high and medium priority groups. Please see the Bursary policy for details of evidence required. Those in low priority will be considered for funding based on the school’s allocation and are subject to available funding after those in high priority and medium priority have been awarded.

Bursary payments are to be spread over the three terms with an initial payment at the start of the year followed by three payments at the end of each term. The amount paid will depend on attendance, and so the end of term payment may be reduced commensurate with any absence by the recipient.

Applications

All applications will be discussed and reviewed by the Sixth Form team and the Finance office. Students who are deemed eligible should be aware that to continue to receive a bursary/funding:

There must be no unauthorised absences during the school day and students must maintain an attendance level above 95%.
Students must maintain acceptable levels of behaviour and effort i.e. not be raised as a concern by teaching staff or the sixth form team.

As funds are limited, students will be granted payments according to their Priority and then the date of the application on a first-come-first served basis.

An application for Bursary must be handed in by 1 October 2024 and include:

The Learner application form
The Parent/carer application form
The appropriate APPENDIX.
Proof of income /evidence of entitlement must be included with the application.

Bursary Fund Application/Policy 2024/2025