Key Information
This provided information of the financial support that is available through the 16-19 bursary fund.
Introduction
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome specific financial barriers to participation so they can remain in education. The funds can provide financial support towards education for those facing financial hardship, it cannot be used towards the cost of the residential provision of the foundation.
Scope
The scope of the policy, the context in which it will be applied including any limitations
Responsibilities
The Principal for the College is responsible for updating the policy annually to ensure that it reflects the current guidance for the Department for Education (DfE). It is the responsibility of the individual student to identify whether they are eligible for financial from the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund and to produce the necessary evidence to confirm eligibility. The Finance team will help with any clarification required to confirm eligibility and will administer any claims. The Executive team are responsible for reviewing any claims made to the Discretionary bursary.
Implementation
This policy will be updated annually and published both on the intranet and website.
Policy Text
General Principles
If aged between 16 to 19 a student studying at InFocus College may be eligible for financial support from the DfE.
There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursaries:
• Bursary for defined vulnerable groups
• Discretionary bursary which institutions award to meet individual needs, for example, help with the cost of transport, books and equipment required for their study programme. In some cases emergency food support may be funded on days the students their study programme.
Eligibility to the 16 to 19 bursary
To be eligible to receive a bursary in the 2026 to 2027 academic year a student must be aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2026.
Students aged 19 or over are only eligible to receive a discretionary bursary if they are continuing on a study programme they began aged 16 to 18 (‘19+ continuers’) or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Therefore, those students who are aged 19+ and continue to study at InFocus College may be eligible.
These 2 groups of aged 19 plus students can receive a discretionary bursary while they continue to attend education (in the case of a 19+ continuer, this must be the same programme they started before they turned 19), as long as their eligibility continues, and InFocus College considers they need the additional support to continue their education participation.
Students aged 19 or over are not eligible for bursaries for vulnerable groups.
The bursary is aimed at supporting those aged 16 to 19, however in exceptional circumstances InFocus College may be able to award support to younger students.
Bursary for vulnerable groups (16-19 year olds only)
Students who meet one of the 4 criteria below (and meet the age and residency criteria) and who have a financial need may be able to apply for a bursary for vulnerable groups of up to £1,200 per year (if they are participating on a study programme that lasts for 30 weeks or more; a pro-rata amount is paid to students on study programmes of less than 30 weeks). Students who meet the criteria and who are on study programmes lasting for less than 30 weeks may be given a bursary on a pro-rata basis.
This reflects that students in these vulnerable groups may need a greater level of support to enable them to continue to participate. InFocus College must ensure that students are eligible for the bursary for defined vulnerable groups in each year they require support.
Students could get up to £1200 if at least one of the following applies:
- in care
- care leavers
- receiving Income Support (IS), or Universal Credit (UC) because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner
- receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in their own right.
Students must be in receipt of DLA or PIP and ESA or UC to be eligible – receipt of DLA or PIP alone does not meet the criteria.
InFocus College will review each claim in line with the criteria set out by the DfE. InFocus may decide that although a young person may be eligible for a bursary because they are in one or more of the defined vulnerable groups, they do not have any actual financial need. This might be because their financial needs are already met and/or because they have no relevant costs.
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund defines ‘in care’ as ‘Children looked after by a local authority on a voluntary basis (section 20 of the Children Act 1989) or under a care order (section 31 of the Children Act 1989) – Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 defines the term ‘looked after child’.’
A ‘care leaver’ is defined as:
- a young person aged 16 and 17 who was previously looked after for a period of 13 weeks consecutively (or periods amounting to 13 weeks), which began after the age of 14 and ended after the age of 16; or
- a young person aged 18 or above who was looked after prior to becoming 18 for a period of 13 weeks consecutively (or periods of 13 weeks), which began after the age of 14 and ended after the age of 16.
Only students who meet this definition are eligible if they have a financial need.
In order to confirm eligibility for the bursary for vulnerable groups InFocus College will need to obtain evidence from each student which will be retained for audit purposes for 7 years. Please see Appendix 1 for details of acceptable evidence as directed by the DfE.
In some cases, a young person might meet the eligibility criteria for a bursary for vulnerable groups, but their financial needs are already met, they have no relevant costs, or they do not need the maximum award. For example, a student:
In these circumstances, InFocus can refuse the student’s application.
Discretionary Bursary
Discretionary bursaries may be awarded to students to help them overcome the individual barriers they may face to participation with study programmes. Discretionary bursary awards help students with the cost of travel, to buy essential books, equipment, support for meals where the study programme takes place away from InFocus College, or specialist clothing (such as protective overalls, for example). These are items the student would otherwise need to pay for to participate. Applications are open to students aged 16-25 and are at the discretion of the Executive team. New applications will need to be submitted for each year of study it should not be assumed that if a discretionary bursary is awarded for an academic year that it will be received in subsequent years.
InFocus College uses household income to help decide who is eligible for support of the bursary. Other factors that may be taken into consideration when awarding the bursary are the distance and cost incurred travelling to college, the number of dependent children in the household and whether the young person has additional responsibilities that may mean they need extra help, for example, they are a young carer or a parent.
Students can apply for the Discretionary Bursary if their parent(s) have an annual income of less than £30,000 and/or claiming one of the following benefits:
• Income support or Universal Credit
• Child Tax Credits
• Working Tax Credits run-on paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credits.
• Support under Part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• If the student themselves are in receipt of Universal Credit.
InFocus College will review any applications made to the Discretionary Bursary and will review the amount awarded based on the following criteria:
• Total household income
• Total number of dependent children living in the household
• Personal circumstances
• Additional responsibilities that the student may have for example a young carer or a parent
InFocus College will use the following bands to assess the amount of financial support awarded from the Discretionary Bursary:
Level one- Annual household income of £25,000 or less.
Students can apply for financial assistance with the following:
• A contribution towards travel costs to and from InFocus College
• Course related costs including books, materials/equipment, or contributions towards assistive technology
• Help towards educational trips and visits during their studies.
• A contribution to exam re-sits
Level two- Annual household income between £25,001 and £30,000:
Students can apply for financial assistance with the following:
• A contribution towards travel costs to and from InFocus College
• Help towards educational trips and visits during their studies.
The amounts awarded under the discretionary bursary will be subject to eligibility, number of applications received in year and the financial support requested.
Where the discretionary bursary has been used to purchase IT hardware or assistive technology, the equipment remains the property of InFocus College and must be returned at the end of the study programme.
Whilst the bursary can be used for transport costs, it does not replace the statutory transport duty local authorities have.
In cases of severe hardship InFocus may award food support whilst the student attends their study programme. For a student who is considered to be in real need, it may be that InFocus award payments without undertaking the checks on household income or gathering other evidence that would normally be required.
Applications and payments
Applications are to be made by the student or a representative for the student, this should be made clear on the application.
Application forms are available from the Finance department. Email the Finance Department.
Payments are made subject to regular attendance, with no unauthorised absences. If any student is absent for 4 or more consecutive weeks’ payments can stop. Behaviour and attainment will also be monitored.
Payments of the bursary will be paid in-kind; this may include travel passes or vouchers. Some payment can be made direct into the student’s bank account.
Cash payments will only be paid by prior agreement and when presented with the relevant invoice or receipt.
Applications for the discretionary bursary can be made anytime during the year and will be paid pro-rata from the date of application to the end of the academic year. All payments are subject to available funds.
All applications must be made on the attached application form and addressed to the Finance and Payroll Manager. Applications will not be processed unless all relevant eligibility evidence has been provided.
All applications will be reviewed and decision made by the Executive Team. A decision on all complete applications will be advised in writing within 4 weeks of the date of application.
Appeals Process
If a student’s application has not been processed to their satisfaction, they or their parent/carer should in the first instance discuss this with the Finance and Payroll Manager. If they are still not satisfied, then an appeal should be made in writing to the CEO who will make the final decision.
Evidence of eligibility
All applications for financial assistance must be supported with proof that the young person is eligible. Applications will not be processed without the relevant proof submitted. All evidence submitted will be kept on file for 7 years for auditing purposes after which they will be securely destroyed. Please see Appendix 1 for acceptable eligibility evidence.
Any claims that are deemed to be fraudulent will be fully investigated and may result in a referral to the police. Students found to make fraudulent claims will be required to refund all payments received.
Further Information
16 to 19 education: financial support for students – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Associated documents
16 to 19 Bursary Fund, DfE
Access to this document
This document is stored on the InFocus College Intranet.
Please contact the MIS office if you would like a copy of this document in an alternative format such as Braille or large print.
Appendix 1- Evidence of eligibility
The Bursary for Vulnerable groups
For students who are in care or a care leaver, written confirmation of their current or previous looked-after status from the relevant local authority – this is the local authority that looks after them or provides their leaving care services.
For students in receipt of Income Support, a copy of their Income Support award notice. They must be entitled to the benefit in their own right and the evidence must not specify any conditions that prevent the young person from being in further education or training.
For students in receipt of Universal Credit, a copy of their Universal Credit Award notice. They must be entitled to the benefit in their own right. They must also provide additional documentation to confirm their independent status, for example a tenancy agreement in the student’s name, a child benefit receipt, children’s birth certificates, utility bills etc.
For students receiving Universal Credit/Employment and Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments, a copy of the student’s Universal Credit or ESA award from DWP (UC claimants will be able to print off details of their award from their journal). Evidence of receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, must also be provided.
The Discretionary Bursary
Details and supporting evidence of household income (P60, three consecutive monthly wage slips, confirmation of benefits etc) dated within the last 12 months.
For students in receipt of Income Support, a copy of their Income Support award notice. They must be entitled to the benefit in their own right and the evidence must not specify any conditions that prevent the young person from being in further education or training.
For students in receipt of Universal Credit, a copy of their Universal Credit Award notice. They must be entitled to the benefit in their own right. They must also provide additional documentation to confirm their independent status, for example a tenancy agreement in the student’s name, a child benefit receipt, children’s birth certificates, utility bills etc.
For students receiving Universal Credit/Employment and Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments, a copy of the student’s Universal Credit or ESA award from DWP (UC claimants will be able to print off details of their award from their journal). Evidence of receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, must also be provided.