The new 16 – 19 Bursary Fund is designed to help support those young people who face the greatest barriers to continuing in education or training post-16 and it replaces the Educational maintenance allowance (EMA).

As a post-16 provider Comberton Sixth Form (CSF) receives an allocation of funds for the academic year from the Young Peoples Learning Agency (YPLA). Once these funds have been awarded to eligible pupils there is no guarantee that further monies will be available to support learners who subsequently submit an application.

Local post 16 providers in Cambridgeshire, including CSF, have agreed to apply a common set of principles and priorities in relation to the allocation of the bursary funds for the academic year 2011 – 2012 as follows:

1. Young people in care, care leavers, young people in
    receipt of income support and disabled young people
    in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are
    also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance.
2. Young people who are eligible to receive a Free
    School Meal.
3. Young people whose household income is below
    £20,817 per annum;
4. Young people who are receiving support under the
    transitional arrangements for EMA.
5. Young people who have been affected by a sudden,
    exceptional change in financial circumstances.

Unlike the EMA, the post 16 provider is now responsible for awarding bursaries to students, and can decide on the amount, when bursaries are paid and the conditions linked to them. Providers can therefore use their discretion to make awards to young people in ways that best fit the needs and circumstances of their own students. The awards will be targeted towards young people facing financial barriers to participation, for instance the cost of transport, meals, books and equipment.

If you think you are eligible for a bursary award an application needs to be submitted to Mrs Owen. Applications may be made at any time during the academic year, but as there is a limited amount of funding available all applications will be subject to the availability of funding at the time of application.

In addition, bursaries are subject to the conditions set by CSF –

1. A minimum attendance rate of 90% (Unless there are
    exceptional circumstances)
2. Completion of course work and adherence to
    deadlines

As most bursaries will be awarded in half termly instalments the above criteria will be consistently monitored and applied.

For more details or an application form please contact .

See also: Free School Meals