Bursary Funding
16-19 Bursary Fund
Each year Fulston Manor is able to allocate discretionary bursary funding to 16-19 year old students who fall within specific categories. The fund, which is paid directly into students’ bank accounts, can be used for any resources that directly benefit their education.
This year the eligibility criteria has been revised to make the funding accessible to more students. Any bursary awarded does not affect any other means tested benefits, such as Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit. The revised categories have been outlined below. Students falling into more than one of the below categories will receive funding for whichever funding category attracts the higher bursary value.
Category A - Vulnerable Students: Automatic qualification
Students who fall into one or more of the following categories will qualify automatically for a Vulnerable Bursary of up to £1,200 per year:
- Students who are in care
- Students who are in receipt of Income Support, Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments.
Category B – Free School Meals: Automatic qualification
Students who are eligible for Free School Meals will automatically qualify for a bursary. Applications for Free School Meals are income assessed by Kent County Council. For further information on Free School Meals, please contact Kent County Council on 03000 415 123
Category C – Location Assessed: Travel Card applications
Students who apply for Kent 16+ Travel Cards and live further than 2 miles away from school will automatically qualify for a bursary. This category is based purely on location and household income is not assessed.
Category D – Income Assessed
For students who do not fall into any of the above categories but wish to apply for bursary funding can do so. Applications will be assessed on household income, with the income threshold set at £28,000. Household income is defined as the total income of the adults resident at the student's home address, before any deductions. Evidence of household income will be required, such as a P60 or other proof of earnings or benefits.
Under the new system, bursary payments will be made in equal instalments in Term 1, Term 3 and Term 5. Students will be asked to provide information retrospectively to outline how the term’s funding was spent in order to assess whether the funding has been used for its intended purpose.
Bursary awards are also subject to the terms set out in the 16-19 Bursary Contract, a document that all students in receipt of bursary funding are required to sign. All students will be required to complete an Application Form in order to provide bank account details to which payments will be made.
If you require any further information or wish to discuss the 16-19 Bursary Fund, please contact the Finance Office on 01795 412600 or via email at [email protected]