Guidance Notes

Beech Academy 16-19 Bursary Fund is designed to help and support any student who faces a financial barrier to participate in education and training, such as equipment, food or transport costs.

THE SCHEME IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS:

Vulnerable Bursary

You can apply for a vulnerable bursary of up to £1,200 if you fall into one of the areas below:

• You (the student) are in care
• You (the student) are a care leaver
• You (the student) are receiving Income Support OR Universal Credit in place of Income Support in your own name
• You (the student) are receiving both Employment Support Allowance AND Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in your own name.

Payment and conditions

You could receive up to £1,200, paid over the academic year, in 6 half-termly instalments but you will need to provide proof of your eligibility. This could be a letter from your local authority showing you are in care/a care leaver or a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions showing the types of benefits you receive. Any benefits must be in your own name. If you are not receiving benefits in your own name you will not be eligible for a vulnerable bursary but could still apply for a discretionary bursary.

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Discretionary Bursary

This bursary is available to students (who are not eligible for the Vulnerable Bursary) who live in a household whose family income is £17,000 per annum or less or whose parents/guardians are in receipt of any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance
• Working Tax Credit
• Income based and contributions based JSA and ESA on an equal basis
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

If false information is given about any part of your household income, the matter may be referred to the Department for Education or to the police. As a result, you and/or your parents/carers could face prosecution and payments could be recovered.

Additional Help

Under exceptional circumstances, students who are not automatically eligible for an award can also apply for help with one-off course related expenses (proof of income or hardship will be asked for). Applications for additional help will be considered on an individual basis and is dependent upon available funds.

Payment and conditions

• The level of support which the Academy can offer is dependent upon the total funding received from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) and the number of applications it receives. The level of funding may vary during the academic year.
• All bursary payments will be directly linked to attendance, behaviour and commitment to studies.
• All bursary payments will be paid directly into the eligible student’s bank account, on a half-termly basis, dates to be advised.
• Eligible students must be aged over 16 but under 19, on 31 August 2021 and enrolled on a non fee-paying, full-time course at the school.