Financial Support

The 16-19 Bursary Fund is paid by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to schools and colleges so that they may provide financial help to students whose access to or completion of education might be inhibited by financial consideration.

Support provided

Those eligible for the bursary will receive a tailored package which could include

• A transport allowance for those living outside Yarm
• Assistance with transport to University interviews
• Payment of UCAS fees
• Access to stationary and curriculum materials e.g. revision guides
• Provision of meals (if not eligible for Free School Meals)
• Cash allowance to support incidental expenses

The amount you may get depends on the costs you have and what you need for your course.

There are two types of Bursary:

Vulnerable Student Bursary

You may be able to get a Vulnerable Student Bursary if at least one of the following applies:

• you’re in or you 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

Discretionary Student Bursary

The Discretionary Student Bursary may be awarded to students in the following groups:

• Young people who reside in a household with a combined household income of less than £23,000 per annum.
• Young people who are experiencing financial hardship and have been identified as being in exceptional need.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Students aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2023 to be eligible for help during the 2023/24 academic year
• Students aged 19 or over are only eligible if they are on a study programme they began aged 16 to 18 (19+continuers) or have an EHCP.
• Students who meet residency criteria set by the ESFA for post 16 provision

The Application Process

• Please complete the application form which is attached below, supplying all documentary evidence as required by the end of September.
• Original copies of any documents will be returned to you in the post. Photocopies of any documents are acceptable.
• Please return your application for assessment to: Conyers School Finance Department, Green Lane, Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees, TS15 9ET.
• Assessment can take up to two weeks, so please be patient. Notification of the outcome will be sent out in the post with a copy of a ‘terms and conditions’ contract to your home address, which students must adhere to.
• Payments will not start until after 30 September.

Terms of the Award

• Attendance will be monitored on a weekly basis and payment will be reduced for non-attendance.
• ALL registrations and assemblies MUST be attended.
• Absences must be reported to Mrs Bolton before 9.30 a.m. each day.
• Payments will be made directly into the student’s bank account provided.
• Attendance at exams is imperative and payment will be stopped for non-attendance.
• Non-payment decisions will be sent to you via SMS/Email or via your Tutor on a weekly basis so please ensure you provide a mobile number and email address.
• Payments will not be made to anyone who has more than four periods of unauthorised absence in one academic year.
• The ‘terms and conditions’ contract included must be signed and returned to Mrs Bolton in the Sixth Form before any payment is awarded.