16-19 Bursary Fund
Financial Support for Learners Ages 16 -19 Studying at Hillcrest School Sixth Form
On 28th March 2011, the Government announced a new 16-19 Bursary Fund to support the most vulnerable young people to participate in and benefit from Post-16 education and training. The new scheme replaces, in part, Educational Maintenance Allowances (EMAs).
The Sixth Forms in The Oaks College are adopting a common approach to the allocation of 16-19 bursaries.
At enrolment, all learners aged 16-19 joining full-time programmes will be offered the opportunity to provide information about their financial circumstances and apply for financial support. Sixth Forms will use the information provided to assess the financial support needs of learners.
In general, for learners not in the nominated vulnerable groups, schools will make awards based upon a proven hardship. Schools will use the eligibility criteria of the former EMA scheme (if your household earns less than £20,817) as one of the indicators in assessing an individual’s eligibility for financial support. Hardship must be substantiated by evidence which will be retained in accordance with audit requirements.
Unfortunately, discretionary learning support funds are limited and schools cannot guarantee to provide support for all eligible learners although every effort will be made to ensure financial circumstances do not stop learners attending the Sixth Form.
Detailed guidance on how discretionary financial support is operated in each individual Sixth Form will be provided by the school itself.
If you require further information on financial support, please contact the school you are applying to directly.
Learners In Nominated Vulnerable Groups
Learners in nominated vulnerable groups
Learners in nominated vulnerable groups will be eligible for a bursary of £1,200 per academic year. The nominated vulnerable groups are:
- Young people in care.
- Care Leavers
- Young people in receipt of income support
- Disabled young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance.
- Detailed guidance on how this bursary is operated in each individual Sixth Form will be provided by the school itself.
Learning in Nominated Vulnerable Groups
Learners in nominated vulnerable groups
Learners in nominated vulnerable groups will be eligible for a bursary of £1,200 per academic year. The nominated vulnerable groups are:
- Young people in care.
- Care Leavers
- Young people in receipt of income support
- Disabled young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance.
- Detailed guidance on how this bursary is operated in each individual Sixth Form will be provided by the school itself.
Learners Meeting The Former EMA Eligibility Criteria
Learners meeting the former EMA eligibility criteria
Learners meeting the former EMA eligibility criteria may be eligible for discretionary financial support. Normally this will be an ‘in kind’ payment (rather than a cash payment) which will support learners in attending Sixth Form.
Examples of this support are:
- Support with travel costs to Sixth Form, which might be through the provision of a free bus pass.
- Support with the costs of learning through the provision of specialist equipment.
- Support with the cost of meals in schools.
- Support for the costs of trips, visits and residential.
- Support for the costs of examinations and other registrations (such as Criminal Records Bureau checks) as and where required.
- Support with the costs of attending interviews for employment or higher education.
- In exceptional circumstances, the provision of emergency cash to meet an urgent need.