16-19 Bursary Fund Policy
The following information applies to students aged 16 to 18 on 31 August who are taking a full time (min 15 hours/week) further education course at Roundwood Park School.
The 16-19 Bursary Fund is organised and administered by the school.
Guaranteed Bursary
Full time students will be eligible to receive a guaranteed £1200 bursary if they are in one of the following categories:
- Students in care (‘Looked after’)
- Care leavers
- Students in receipt of income support in their own right
- Disabled students in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.
Written evidence of eligibility will be required. Any relevant change of circumstances must be declared immediately. Failure to do so will result in a withdrawal of the bursary.
Discretionary Bursary
Discretionary Bursaries may be either funds or assistance for specific educational needs such as transport, study books, meals, equipment and educational trips. The value awarded to each eligible student will not exceed £800 in any one academic year.
Qualification criteria for Discretionary bursary
Any student in Yr 12 or 13 who is registered for Free School Meals will automatically qualify for a bursary if they demonstrate a need (e.g.travel costs, trips, books).
Other students can apply for a bursary if they are able to demonstrate that they are experiencing financial hardship and need help with specific costs of study.
Written evidence of benefits will be required. Any relevant change of circumstances must be declared immediately. Failure to do so will result in a withdrawal of the bursary.
Application process
- Students invited to apply for bursary funding at the start of the Autumn term.
- A deadline for applications will be set two weeks later.
- Application forms checked and decisions made
- Any relevant change of circumstances must be declared immediately. Failure to do so may result in a withdrawal of the bursary.
Application for one-off help with expenses (e.g. a school trip) can be made at any time.
Administration
Where possible, payment is made ‘in kind’ for example provision of textbooks or part payment of fees for school trips.
Should more expensive items be required, such as a laptop, money from the 16-19 Bursary Fund will normally be used to purchase the item which will be lent to the student for the duration of their course.
If it is not possible to provide resources ‘in kind’ then the student will need to submit a receipt/invoice. Money will then be transferred into their account to cover the cost.
If the student is not already in receipt of Free School Meals, Bursary money can be used to top up their catering account.
Payments may be withheld if the student’s attendance falls below 95% or there are significant concerns around poor behaviour or work not being completed.
Allocation of Fund
5% of the total financial fund will be held in reserve for administrative costs. Once the Guaranteed Bursaries are allocated, the remaining funds are divided by the number of successful applicants plus one (this money will be kept in reserve)
Appeals
Appeals against any decisions should be made in writing to Head of Sixth Form. Appeals against payment decisions must be lodged within one week of the decision letter being received.
