The 16-19 Bursary Fund is a Government funded scheme to help support those young people who face the greatest financial barriers to education. Each bursary award gives consideration to individual student needs. Bursary funding without Free College Meals may be awarded at 3 levels, depending on household income If you are entitled to Free College Meals (FCM) you may also receive a top up bursary payment.
Funds are limited, so students are advised to apply as early as possible.
Who can apply?
- Students aged 16-18
- Students aged 19+ who are in the second year of a course that they started when aged 16-18
- Students aged 19-24 who have an Education Health Care PLan (EHCP)
- Students must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before the start of their course
- Asylum seekers can apply for Free College Meals and the College may provide equipment and travel passes as necessary.
The available three bursaries are outlined below:
PRIORITY 1: Vulnerable Student Bursary
Vulnerable Student Categories
- Student receives Income Support (IS) or Universal Credit (UC) in their own name and living independently (not with parents/family
- Student is in or has recently left Local Authority Care
- Student who receives Employment Support (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in their own name and living independently (not with parents/family).
These students could receive up to £1,200 per year to support travel and study costs. The amount awarded is dependent on your financial need. They may also be entitled to Free College Meals if in receipt of the appropriate benefits.
This bursary is not available to any student aged 19 or over.
PRIORITY 2: Free College Meals and Additional Discretionary Support
You maybe eligible if your household is in receipt of:
- Income Support (IS)
- Income -based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under Part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Universal Credit (UC) and net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7400 per annum
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) only (without Working Tax Credit)
- Working Tax Credit ‘run on’ – this is only paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
PRIORITY 3: Discretionary Bursary Only
Students who are not eligible for Free College Meals can still apply for a bursary if their household income, including benefits, is no more than £31,000 per year.
The amounts available depend on the level of income. Further information on this can be found on page 4 of the 16-19 Bursary Fund and Free College Meal Application Guidance. There’s a link to these guidance notes below, under Further Information.
Application Process
Please note our bursary application process is now paperless.
Once enrolment is complete, the online application process will be available to students via myLoreto.
Upper Sixth students will use the same process as outlined above.