16-19 BURSARY FUND POLICY

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1 16-19 BURSARY FUND POLICY What is the Bursary Fund? The fund is made available from the government through its funding body Education Funding Agency (EFA) for year olds to provide assistance to students whose access to, or completion of, education is inhibited by financial constraints or barriers. The year old bursary scheme has been put in place as a partial replacement for Education Maintenance Allowance. It is money that the government has given to the school to give to disadvantaged students. The Bursary Fund has two elements to it: 1 - A maximum bursary of 1,200 a year for young people in the following defined vulnerable groups. In Care Care Leavers Getting Income Support or Universal Credit. Getting Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments in their own right. 2 Discretionary awards which can be made by the school to its pupils in ways that fit the need and circumstances of our students. In the school will receive Bursary Fund allocations for discretionary bursaries only. The funding for vulnerable student bursaries will be held centrally by the Student Bursary Support Services. The school will have to draw down this funding using the relevant claim from. For this reason we have to ensure that appropriate evidence is provided by parents / students before funding can be drawn down. It is the responsibility of the school to assess if students are eligible to receive a vulnerable bursary payment. The SBSS will process the claim form, and if successful will send out a funding statement confirming the amount to be paid. The payment will be processed and remittance advice will be issued within two weeks of receiving the funding claim. The school can give a qualifying student who is on a course lasting less than 30 weeks less than the 1,200. How does the School assess applications and allocate Bursary funding? The Bursary Fund is a limited fund and the School has discretion to prioritise allocation. There will be 3 priority groups, categorised as high, medium and low. 1 P age

2 1 - High priority group Vulnerable Young People Students aged under 19 on 31/08/15 and who fall into one of the following categories: In Care Care Leavers Getting Income Support or Universal Credit. Getting Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments in their own right. Eligible students will be guaranteed a maximum 1,200 bursary or pro rata share of this amount if they attend a course lasting less than 30 weeks. In exceptional circumstances a larger bursary could be considered by the school but this would have to be funded from the Discretionary Bursary allocation the school receives separately. 2 - Medium priority group Students who fall into the following category: Have a household income of below 18,000. Eligible students in this group, if they apply to the Discretionary Bursary Fund may be eligible for a contribution towards the cost of transport, essential course equipment, trips, clothing, materials, etc. The amount of bursary will be dependent on the number of applications of students who are eligible for consideration of support and the amount of funding available. Eligibility is also dependent on meeting attendance, behaviour and academic performance criteria. That is: Excellent attendance over 97% Good conduct and module reports Meeting homework and coursework deadlines as set by teachers. Payments will be made as a one off payment, as needed, when receipts have been received. 3 - Low priority group Have a gross annual household income between 18,001 and 25,000 Those in the low priority group will be considered for a bursary subject to available funding after those in the high and medium priority groups have been awarded. In some cases awards may not be made until after 31 December Students in this group may get a contribution towards the cost of essential course equipment, suits and transport costs. Eligibility is also dependent on meeting attendance, behaviour and academic performance criteria. That is: 2 P age

3 Excellent attendance over 97% Good conduct and module reports Meeting homework and coursework deadlines as set by teachers Payments will be made as a one off payment when receipts have been received. Any changes in circumstances could lead to a review of entitlements. Financial support for students in The following information applies to students aged 16 to 18 on 31 st August-2015 taking a full-time further education course in 2015/16 Vulnerable Groups - 1,200 bursary The government has announced that some students will be entitled to a grant or bursary of 1,200 next year. You could get this if you are in one of the following categories: In Care Care Leavers Young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowances who are also in support of Income Support or Universal Credit Disabled Young People in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments. If you think you are eligible for this 1,200 bursary, please contact the school in confidence Discretionary Bursary Fund Is your household income less than 25,000 a year? If so, you may be able to get extra financial support. Apply now to the Bursary Fund and you could get assistance towards the costs of: Transport, clothing or school books, etc. Application forms are available on the School website - or from the school reception. Proof of household income (or income-based benefits e.g. P60, tax credit notice, free school meal etc) will be required. NB The application form and appropriate appendices need to be returned to the Finance Office marked Bursary Fund as soon as possible following admission to the sixth form in September. All information will be treated with the strictest of confidence. 3 P age

4 Appendix 1 - Application for Vulnerable Children Funding High Priority Group 1,200 per annum, Bursary NB This form should be completed and submitted with appropriate evidence Full Name Date of Birth Current Year Group I wish to apply for Vulnerable Children funding under the following criteria (please delete as appropriate) I am living in Care (as defined by Wirral Council) I am leaving / have just left living in care I am a Young Person in receipt of Employment Support Allowances and I am also receiving of Income Support or Universal Credit I am a Disabled Young Person in receipt of Employment Support Allowance and I am also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments I attach to this form the following evidence to support my application (please specify below) I confirm that the details on this application and the evidence provided are true and accurate. Signed: (Learner) Signed: (Parent / Carer) Date Date application received Outcome: Rejected / Accepted Letter Sent: Yes / No 4 P age

5 Appendix 2 - Application to the Discretionary Bursary Funding Medium & Low Priority Groups Eligible students in these groups will be entitled to a contribution towards the cost of transport, essential course equipment, trips and suits based upon the production of appropriate receipts. NB This form should be completed and submitted with appropriate evidence Full Name Date of Birth Current Year Group I wish to apply for Discretionary Bursary funding under the following criteria (please delete as appropriate) Household income < 18,000 Medium Priority Group. Household income > 18,001 but < 25,000 Low Priority Group. I attach to this form the following evidence to support my application (please specify below) I confirm that the details on this application and the evidence provided are true and accurate. Signed: (Learner) Signed: (Parent) Date Date application received Outcome: Rejected / Accepted Letter Sent: Yes / No 5 P age

6 Appendix 3 Proof of income / benefit submitted for the Bursary Fund Type of Income Please tick which of the following you are supplying.,,, Annual Salary P60 for tax year or last year in March 2015 Self Employed Earnings Letter to substantiate earnings Income Support - Entitlement / Award letter dated within the last 3 months Universal Credit Entitlement / Award letter dated within the last 3 months Disability Living Allowance - Entitlement / Award letter dated within the last 3 months Employment and Support Allowance Entitlement / Award letter dated within the last 3 months Personal Independence payments - Entitlement / Award letter dated within the last 3 months Jobseekers Allowance - Entitlement / Award letter dated within the last 3 months Carers Allowance - Entitlement / Award letter dated within the last 3 months Any other Benefit - Entitlement / Award letter dated within the last 3 months Unearned Income (savings etc) Relevant paperwork as appropriate NB: Information provided will be treated in confidence. 6 P age