Bursary
You may be eligible for a Sheldon School Sixth Form Bursary. Guidance and information regarding the Bursary and application can be found below. If you were in receipt of the Bursary in Year 12 you will need to reapply again for Year 13.
If you would like to know more or have any questions, please contact the Sixth Form Office on 01249 766020 ext 202 or email espiers@sheldonschool.co.uk
Guidance for Students
The 16-19 Bursary Fund is provided by the Department for Education (DfE) to help remove financial barriers to participation in post-16 education. Sheldon School Sixth Form administers this fund in accordance with current DfE guidance. The bursary is intended to support students with essential education-related costs where these costs would otherwise prevent full participation in their study programme.
All bursary awards are based on an assessment of individual need and the actual costs associated with participation in education. Awards are designed to address identified barriers to participation and may be provided through direct payments, reimbursements, purchases made on behalf of the student, travel support or other approved methods of assistance.
Types of Bursary Available
There are two types of bursary support available:
Defined Bursary
Students may be eligible for support under the DfE's Defined Vulnerable Groups Bursary if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Are aged 16–19 (or up to 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan)
- Are eligible for post‑16 funding
- Are enrolled on a full‑time study programme
- Fall into one of the DfE-defined vulnerable groups, namely:
- Young people in care
- Care leavers
- Young people receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in their own right
- Young people receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in their own right, as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit
Students who meet these criteria will be assessed to determine the support required to overcome barriers to participation in education.
Support of up to £1,200 per academic year may be available. The amount and form of support awarded will be based on an assessment of individual need and the actual education-related costs the student is expected to incur. Support may be provided through direct payments, reimbursements, direct purchase of goods or services, or other appropriate arrangements.
Discretionary Bursary
Discretionary bursaries are available to students who:
- Are aged 16–19 (or up to 25 with an EHCP)
- Are enrolled on a full‑time study programme
- Meet residency requirements
- Can demonstrate financial need and education‑related costs that create barriers to learning
Household income is used to help prioritise applications, but bursary awards are not guaranteed and will depend on individual circumstances, demonstrated need, available bursary funding and the number of applications received during the academic year. Awards will be made following an assessment of financial need and the educational costs required for participation in the student's study programme.
As a guide, priority is normally given to students from households with an income below £25,000 per year. Support may also be available to students from households with an income between £25,000 and £32,000 per year where exceptional need is demonstrated.
Household income thresholds are used as a guide only and do not automatically entitle a student to an award.
Eligibility for Free School Meals is strong evidence of financial need but does not automatically entitle a student to a bursary award.
Assessment Principles
The school is required to ensure that bursary funding is used to overcome genuine barriers to participation in education.
Awards will therefore be based upon:
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Actual participation costs.
- Individual student circumstances.
- Evidence supplied by the student and family.
- The availability of bursary funding.
Support will be tailored to the needs of each individual student and will not be provided through fixed or automatic awards.
What the Bursary Can and Cannot Be Used For
Examples of things the bursary can be spent on |
Things that the government prohibit the use of bursary money for |
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All expenditure must be supported by receipts or other appropriate evidence.
The exact amount each student will receive will depend on the number of applicants and each individuals’ circumstances.
Assessment and Support Planning
Successful applicants will:
- Receive an initial award (where appropriate) to support essential start-up costs
- Take part in a 1-to-1 meeting with their tutor or a member of the Sixth Form team
This assessment meeting will identify individual financial barriers to participation and determine how bursary support can best be used to enable the student to access and participate fully in their study programme.
The level of support provided will reflect identified needs and evidenced educational costs rather than a standard or fixed award.
Students may be required to provide quotations, receipts, travel information, invoices or other appropriate evidence to support requests for bursary funding. The school may request additional information where necessary to verify either financial need or the educational costs for which support is being sought.
All evidence and financial information will be handled confidentially and in accordance with data protection requirements.
Payments and Monitoring
- Bursary support is normally provided through direct payment to suppliers, reimbursement on production of receipts or evidence, direct purchase of required items, travel support, or other non-cash methods wherever appropriate.
- Continued bursary support will normally be dependent upon satisfactory attendance, engagement and conduct, whilst taking account of individual circumstances, including illness, disability, caring responsibilities or other agreed support needs.
- Awards may be reviewed if a student's circumstances change.
- The school reserves the right to amend, suspend or withdraw support where conditions are not met or where circumstances significantly change.
- Any Year 12 or Year 13 student (aged under 19) who received bursary funding during the previous academic year must reapply for support.
Applying for the Bursary
To apply, students must:
- Complete the Sheldon School Sixth Form 16–19 Bursary Application Form (or request a paper copy from the Sixth Form office)
- Provide up-to-date evidence of household income or benefit entitlement.
Any financial information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence, stored securely and retained only for as long as necessary in accordance with applicable data protection and records management requirements.
Applications should be submitted as early as possible. Funding is limited and allocated on a needs-led basis.
Short-term emergency travel or meal support can be arranged immediately if they face sudden hardship before their full application is processed.
Complaints and Appeals
If you do not agree with the decision of the Bursary Administration Team, you may submit a written appeal within 28 days of the decision.
An internal appeals panel consisting of members of the Leadership Team who are not directly involved in the day-to-day running of the Sixth Form will review the original application and any additional evidence provided. You will be informed in writing of the outcome.
If you remain dissatisfied following the internal appeal, you may submit a final written appeal within 28 days. This will be reviewed by a panel selected from members of the Governing Body. The decision of the Governors' Panel will be final.
Further Information
If your household income is slightly above the published thresholds and you believe financial barriers may prevent you from participating fully in education, please contact the Sixth Form Office to discuss your circumstances.
If you would like further information or have any questions, please contact the Sixth Form Office on 01249 766020 ext 202 or email espiers@sheldonschool.co.uk