Two bursaries, one fund — which one is yours?
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund (England) is government money handed to schools, colleges and training providers to keep young people in education when costs would otherwise push them out. It splits in two:
| Bursary | Who & how much |
|---|
| Vulnerable bursary | Up to £1,200 a year on study programmes of 30+ weeks, for the four defined groups below. Based on what you actually need — providers must not just hand everyone the full £1,200, and shorter or part-time programmes get less. |
| Discretionary bursary | No fixed national amount — your school or college sets its own income criteria and pays towards real costs: travel, meals, books, equipment, uniforms or kit, and trips. Many providers align it with free school meals eligibility. |
The four vulnerable groups (per the GOV.UK guide):
- In care — looked after by a local authority;
- Care leavers;
- Getting Income Support — or Universal Credit in place of Income Support — in your own name;
- Getting Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, all in your own name.
The own-name rule, plainly
A parent claiming UC does not put you in a vulnerable group — the benefits must be in the student’s own name. But a low household income is exactly what the discretionary bursary is for, so a no on the £1,200 is never the end of the conversation. Ask what the college’s own criteria are.
Aged 19 or over?
The fund covers ages 16 to 18 (on 31 August before the academic year). Two exceptions can still get the discretionary bursary: 19+ continuers finishing a course they started aged 16–18, and students aged 19+ with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The £1,200 vulnerable bursary itself is not available at 19+.
How to apply — the college, not GOV.UK
- Ask student services or the bursary office at your school, college or training provider for the bursary application form — ideally in the first weeks of term, or as soon as money gets tight. There is no national application.
- Bring evidence. Benefit award letters in the student’s name, confirmation of care status from the local authority, or household income proof (payslips, UC statements) for the discretionary bursary. The provider has to evidence what it pays and why.
- Expect conditions. Payments can be cash, in-kind (a travel pass, free meals, equipment) or a mix — and providers are allowed to make them conditional on attendance and behaviour. Missed classes can pause payments, so get the policy in writing.
- Turned down or the fund is “empty”? Ask for the decision in writing, ask when the fund reopens, and ask about hardship or travel schemes the college runs separately. Circumstances changed mid-year? You can apply mid-year too.
Funds run out — and nobody chases you
Discretionary bursary pots are cash-limited and at many colleges go first come, first served — students who ask in September are funded; students who struggle silently until January can find the pot empty. Nobody checks whether you need it. Ask this week. And never pay any website or “adviser” to apply — it is a free form from your own college.
Do this now
Email or visit the bursary office this week — funds run out. One line is enough: “I’d like to apply for the 16 to 19 bursary — please send me the form and tell me what evidence you need.”
In care, a care leaver, or on qualifying benefits in your own name? Say so in that first message — that is the up-to-£1,200 vulnerable bursary, and your GOV.UK overview backs you up.
Scotland, Wales & NI — the weekly EMA instead
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund is England-only. The other three nations kept the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) — a weekly payment for 16–19 year olds from lower-income households who stay in school or college, usually paid fortnightly and conditional on attendance:
- Scotland — £30 a week, applied for through your council or college (income thresholds are set each year — check mygov.scot).
- Wales — £40 a week, the UK’s highest rate, via Student Finance Wales.
- Northern Ireland — £30 a week, via nidirect.
Colleges in all three nations also run their own discretionary support and hardship funds on top of EMA — same advice: ask student services early.