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16-19 Bursary Fund

If you are aged between 16-19 years old, you might be eligible for a Bursary Fund, to help with education-related costs. The aim of the bursary is to ensure that all students in the post-16 provision are able to remain in education and overcome any financial barriers to participation.

There are two different types of 16-19 bursaries available to eligible students:

●      Students identified as vulnerable 

●      Students eligible for a discretionary bursary  

Bursary for students in vulnerable groups:

You may be able to receive bursary support, if at least one of the following applies:

  • You are in or you have recently left local authority care
  • You get Income Support or Universal Credit because you’re financially supporting yourself
  • You get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in your name and either Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit
  • You get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in your name and either ESA or Universal Credit

The amount you may receive depends on the participation costs you may have, and your actual financial needs. This may include support with buying textbooks for your chosen courses, equipment and travel costs.

Please note that there is no guarantee of funding. Awards are strictly based on actual financial need for participation costs, rather than just meeting the eligibility criteria.

Discretionary bursaries:

Students can apply and be considered for a discretionary bursary, if they satisfy one of the following criteria:

  • Students who are in receipt of Free School M (FSM) or have become eligible, supported by documentation confirming FSM receipt from Brent (or local authority)
  • Income thresholds show eligibility for the discretionary bursary, such as evidence of Universal Credit award statements** 
  • Specific evidence provided for defined vulnerable groups, such as written confirmation of looked-after status from the local authority or specific DWP award notices 

**Please note that the 16 to 19 bursary does not affect other means-tested benefits like Child Benefit or Universal Credit (UC). Furthermore, for UC purposes, the bursary is not treated as grant income for students under 21.

Support with essential costs of study programme participation:

Those who are able to demonstrate financial hardship are likely to be offered help with**:

  • Purchasing essential textbooks 
  • The costs of school day trips and residential visits, linked to course objectives 
  • Buying resources (such as equipment) 
  • Purchasing Sixth Form clothing (in line with the dress code)
  • Printing credit
  • Lunch costs 
  • Use of Chromebooks
  • Attending work experience placements (such as travel costs)
  • Travel costs (including Oyster card payments)

**Please note that other forms of support may also be available.

How to claim the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Eligibility

Students must:

  • Be aged 16 or over, but under 19 on 31 August 2026 to be eligible for the Bursary Fund, for the academic year 2026 to 2027**
  • Be studying at a publicly funded school or college
  • Meet the residency requirements 

**Students aged 19 or over may still be eligible for the discretionary bursary if they have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan or are continuing a study programme they started aged 16-18.

Application deadlines and emergency support

The deadline for 16-19 Bursary Fund applications is typically in the first half of the Autumn term. Year 11 students who have conditional offers for Kingsbury Sixth Form will receive information regarding how to apply, prior to the Summer holidays.

The school retains a small emergency fund to support students who face sudden changes in circumstances during the academic year.

Conditions of payment

Students will be expected to sign a document to give formal agreement to the conditions for payment. This may include maintaining good attendance, returning loaned equipment at the end of their study programme and providing receipts for expenditure, where necessary.

Mandatory Annual Eligibility Checks

There will be eligibility checks for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund each year. This is because parents’/carers’, and students’ financial situations or living circumstances may change between the first and second year of their study programme. These checks will typically take place at the end of the first year.

Parents/carers and students will be expected to sign and date a self-declaration form confirming that their household circumstances have not changed.