What is the 16–19 Bursary Fund?

The 16–19 Bursary Fund is financial support provided by the Department for Education to help students overcome financial barriers that may prevent them from participating fully in education. The fund can help with essential course related costs such as travel, equipment, books and specialist clothing. The bursary available to each student is dependent on the funds allocated by the DFE to the school each year, and the individual personal circumstances of each eligible student.

The 16 to 19 bursary is separate to any free school meals funding for which the student may be eligible, this is applied for directly through the borough of Hackney.

Types of Bursaries

1 - Vulnerable Student Bursary

Students may be eligible for a bursary of up to £1,200 per academic year if they fall into one of the following categories:

  • In care
  • A care leaver
  • Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in their own name
  • Receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit in their own name

2 - Discretionary Bursary

Support with essential cost of study programme based on evidence of financial hardship. Awards are based on household income, financial circumstances and available funding. The students must satisfy one of the following:

  • Receipt of free school meals (FSM) or have become eligible
  • Household Income threshold- receipt of universal credit, Job seekers allowance etc

What Can the Bursary Be Used For?

Bursary funding can help with essential educational costs, including:

  • Travel costs - including Oyster card payments
  • Essential books and learning materials
  • Specialist equipment
  • Uniform or protective clothing required for a course
  • Lunch costs
  • Educational visits, field trips and other compulsory course related activities.

How Much Can Students Receive?

Vulnerable Student Bursary

  • Eligible students may receive up to £1,200 per year.
  • Awards are based on actual financial need and participation costs and may therefore be less than £1,200

Discretionary Bursary

  • There is no fixed award amount.
  • Support is assessed individually according to financial need, course requirements and the funding available to the school

How to Check Eligibility

To be eligible, students must generally:

  • Be aged 16 or over and under 19 on 31 August before the start of the academic year
  • Be enrolled on a funded study programme.
  • Meet the residency requirements

Students may also be eligible if they are aged 19 or over and:

  • Have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), or
  • Are continuing a programme of study started when they were aged 16–18

Students should review the school's bursary policy and provide evidence of household income or qualifying benefits as part of the application process.

How to Apply

  1. Apply via the school’s online portal. You must do this using your school email address, and we strongly suggest you do this with a parent or guardian.
  2. Upload all required supporting evidence, such as:
    • Proof of household income.
    • Benefit award notices.
    • Evidence of care status (where applicable).

Incomplete applications may delay the assessment process.

How is the Bursary Paid?

The school may provide support in a number of ways, including:

  • Direct payments to a student's bank account.
  • Reimbursement of approved expenses upon receipt of evidence.
  • Purchase of travel passes, books, equipment or other approved items on behalf of the student.

Payments are subject to satisfactory attendance, punctuality, conduct and continued participation on the study programme.

Application Deadline

Recommended application deadline: 30 September 2026

However, as students’ circumstances may change, the application process will remain open for the whole school year.

Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure support is in place at the start of the academic year.

For more information regarding the 16-19 bursary fund, please visit: www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund