16-19 BURSARY FUND POLICY 2014-2015

What is the 16-19 Bursary Fund?

The fund is made available from the government through its funding body – Education Funding Agency (EFA) for 16-18 year olds – to provide assistance to students whose

access to, or completion of, education is inhibited by financial constraints or barriers.

The 16- 19 year old bursary scheme has been put in place as a partial replacement

for Education Maintenance Allowance.

The 16-19 Bursary Fund has two elements to it:

1 - A bursary of £1,200 a year for young people in the following defined vulnerable

groups.

In Care

Care Leavers

Young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowances who are also in

support of Income Support or Universal Credit

Disabled Young People in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are

also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence

Payments.

2 – Discretionary awards which can be made by the school to its pupils in ways that fit

the need and circumstances of our students.

In 2014-15 the school will receive 16-19 Bursary Fund allocations for discretionary

bursaries only. The funding for vulnerable student bursaries will be held centrally by

the Learner Support Services and the school will have to draw down this funding on

demand throughout the academic year. For this reason we have to ensure that

appropriate evidence is provided by parents / students before funding can be drawn

down

How does the School assess applications and allocate 16-19 Bursary funding?

The 16-19 Bursary Fund is a limited fund and the School has discretion to prioritise allocation. There will be 3 priority groups, categorised as high, medium and low.

1 - High priority group – Vulnerable Young People

Students aged under 19 on 31/08/14 and who fall into one of the following categories:

In Care

Care Leavers

Young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowances who are also in

support of Income Support or Universal Credit

Disabled Young People in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are

also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence

Payments.

Eligible students will be guaranteed a £1,200 bursary.

In exceptional circumstances a larger bursary could be considered by the school but

this would have to be funded from the Discretionary Bursary allocation the school

receives separately.

Payments will be made on a monthly basis, in arrears, over 10 months, subject to the attendance, performance and behaviour criteria being achieved.

2 - Medium priority group

Students who fall into the following category: Have a household income of below £18,000. Eligible students in this group, if they apply to the 16-19 Discretionary Bursary Fund

by 27th September 2014 may be eligible for a contribution towards the cost of

transport, essential course equipment, trips, suits, materials, etc.

The amount of bursary will be dependent on the number of applications of students who are eligible for consideration of support and the amount of funding available.

Eligibility is also dependent on meeting attendance, behaviour and academic performance criteria. That is:

• Excellent attendance over 97%

• Good conduct and module reports

• Meeting homework and coursework deadlines as set by teachers.

Payments will be made as a one off payment, as needed, when receipts have been

received.

3 - Low priority group

Have a gross annual household income between £18,001 and £25,000

Those in the low priority group will be considered for a bursary subject to available

funding after those in the high and medium priority groups have been awarded. In

some cases awards may not be made until after 31 December 2014. Students in this

group may get a contribution towards the cost of essential course equipment, suits

and transport costs.

Payments will be made as a one off payment when receipts have been received.

Any changes in circumstances could lead to a review of entitlements.

Financial support for students in 2014 - 2015

The following information applies to students aged 16 to 18 on 31st August-2014 taking

a full-time further education course in 2014/15

Vulnerable Groups - £1,200 bursary

The government has announced that some students will be entitled to a grant or

bursary of £1,200 next year. You could get this if you are in one of the following

categories:

In Care

Care Leavers

Young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowances who are also in

support of Income Support or Universal Credit

Disabled Young People in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are

also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence

Payments.

If you think you are eligible for this £1,200 bursary, please contact the school in

confidence 16-19 Discretionary Bursary Fund

Is your household income less than £25,000 a year? If so, you may be able to get extra financial support. Apply now to the 16-19 Bursary Fund and you could get assistance towards the costs of: Transport, clothing or school books, etc. Application forms are available on the School website - or from the school reception. Proof of household income (or income-based benefits e.g. P60, tax credit notice, free

school meal etc) will be required.

NB The application form and appropriate appendices need to be returned to the Finance Office marked “16-19 Bursary Fund” as soon as possible following admission to the sixth form in September.

All information will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

Appendix 1 - Application for Vulnerable Children Funding – High Priority Group £1,200 per

annum, 16 -19 Bursary

NB This form should be completed and submitted with appropriate evidence

Full Name

Date of Birth

Current Year Group

I wish to apply for Vulnerable Children funding under the following criteria (please delete as

appropriate)

I am living in Care (as defined by Wirral Council)

I am leaving / have just left living in care

I am a Young Person in receipt of Employment Support Allowances and I am also receiving of

Income Support or Universal Credit

I am a Disabled Young Person in receipt of Employment Support Allowance and I am also in

receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments

I attach to this form the following evidence to support my application (please specify below)

I confirm that the details on this application and the evidence provided are true and accurate.

Signed: (Learner)

Signed: (Parent / Carer)

Date

Date application received

Outcome: Rejected / Accepted Letter Sent: Yes / No

Appendix 2 - Application to the 16 -19 Discretionary Bursary Funding – Medium & Low Priority

Groups

Eligible students in these groups will be entitled to a contribution towards the cost of transport, essential

course equipment, trips and suits based upon the production of appropriate receipts.

NB This form should be completed and submitted with appropriate evidence

Full Name

Date of Birth

Current Year Group

I wish to apply for Discretionary 16-19 Bursary funding under the following criteria (please delete as

appropriate)

Household income < £18,000 – Medium Priority Group.

Household income >£18,001 but < £25,000 – Low Priority Group.

I attach to this form the following evidence to support my application (please specify below)

I confirm that the details on this application and the evidence provided are true and accurate.

Signed: (Learner)

Signed: (Parent)

Date

Date application received

Outcome: Rejected / Accepted Letter Sent: Yes / No

Appendix 3 – Proof of income / benefit submitted for the 16-19 Bursary Fund

Type of Income

Please tick which of the following you are supplying.,,,

Annual Salary – P60 for tax year 2013-14 or last year in March 2014

Self Employed Earnings – Letter to substantiate earnings

Income Support - Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months

Universal Credit – Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months

Disability Living Allowance - Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months

Employment and Support Allowance – Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months

Personal Independence payments - Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months

Jobseekers Allowance - Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months

Carers Allowance - Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months

Any other Benefit - Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months

Unearned Income (savings etc) – Relevant paperwork as appropriate

NB: Information provided will be treated in confidence.