The school is provided with funds by the EFA (Education Funding Agency) specifically for the provision of bursaries to 16 – 19 year olds continuing their education at the school.

Bursaries will be made available to help young people overcome financial barriers to their participation in education at the school.

Priority will be given to applications from students who, without extra finance, would find it difficult to continue with post-16 education. Students will therefore need to demonstrate the reason support is required and for Discretionary Bursaries should attempt to access all other available funding sources in prior to application.

Eligibility for Bursary Awards in 2022-23

To be eligible to receive a bursary, the young person must be aged under 19 on 31st August in the academic year in which they start their programme of study.  Where a young person turns 19 during their programme of study, they can continue to be supported to the end of the academic year in which they turn 19, or to end of the programme of study, whichever is the sooner.

Young people must satisfy the residency criteria as stated in the document EFA Funding Guidance for the 2022 to 2023 academic year (available on the DfE website www.education.gov.uk) and must be undertaking a full time course at The King's Academy funded by the EFA.  

The following groups of young people are eligible to apply for bursaries:

• Vulnerable young people.

• Young people who were eligible for free school meals at any point in the previous 6 years and/or become eligible during the academic year 2022-23.

• Learners facing financial hardship.

The King's Academy will take into account any allowances or other sources of financial support received when deciding whether to award a bursary.

Discretionary Bursaries

All 16 to 19 students may apply for a discretionary bursary. Bursaries are targeted at students who cannot stay in education without financial help for things like transport, meals, books and equipment.

Three bands of eligibility will be applied:

Band 1 – annual household income of £16,190 or less, or parents in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Universal Credit or an equivalent benefit. Students in this band will be prioritised for a bursary. Awards will reflect the student’s needs and can be used for academy meals, to contribute towards the costs of bus travel to academy, educational visits during the year, exam re-sit fees, costs of visiting university open days / interviews, books or other educational equipment costs.

Band 2 – annual household income between £16,190 and £22,000. These students will also receive bursaries but at a smaller contribution to Band 1 students.

Band 3 – annual household income between £22,000 and £28,000. We will consider offering students in this band a small contribution towards identified costs such as transport or planned educational trips.

In addition, the academy will consider requests for bursary support from any student, regardless of eligibility under the above bands, where that student has an exceptional and identified financial need.

Proof of eligibility is required to support an application. This could include:

• Tax Credits forms (TC602)
• Family P60s
• 3 months’ worth of recent bank statements
• Certified letter from the LA regarding Free Academy Meals eligibility
• Letter from DWP or Jobcentre Plus confirming benefits
• Self-Employment Income evidence. 

Conditions

Young people who are awarded a bursary will be expected to meet the following conditions relating to attendance, behaviour and completion of work and courses:

• 100% attendance.

• No behaviour or conduct issues

• Responding positively to course criteria - completing modules in line with expectations

• Completion of examination year

Applications for Bursaries

Students should obtain a 16-19 Bursary Application Form from Miss Degg.

Applications will be reviewed by the Vice Principal and the Business and Operations manager. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application as soon as reasonably possible but no later than within 10 working days of receipt of a correctly completed application.

Useful Links

Further information for Young People, Parents and carers which should be read in conjunction with this policy is available on:

http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/youngpeople/studentsupport/funding/a00203061/16-19-bursaries
http://www.direct.gov.uk/16-19bursary

To apply for the 16-19 Bursary, please complete the application form below and hand into Miss Degg with all supporting evidence.