Bursary16+

How it works

The 16-19 Bursary Fund

Providing essential financial support to students facing barriers to participation in education, helping cover costs like travel, meals, and equipment.

In 2021, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) made changes to how schools must manage the fund

Schools must keep an audit trail for all payments, ensuring that all receipts and invoices are securely stored

If schools cannot provide proof of how funds have been spent, they risk being required to pay back the money

Bursary 16+ is a secure, efficient system that makes allocating funds easier for both staff and students, while maintaining a clear audit trail for the Department for Education (DfE).

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Simple online applications

Students and parents complete their bursary application, reducing paperwork and administrative burden for your school.

Eligibility verification

Manage and verify application details with our smart tools to ensure students meet the necessary criteria for bursary awards.

Document management

Securely collect and store any required documentation - such as proof of income - needed to support the application.

Approve requests

Students submit requests directly through their profile for staff to approve or decline, with all requests automatically tracked.

Payment authorisation

Streamline payments by allowing the finance team direct access to any requests made by students for required items.

Compliance and reporting

Maintain DfE compliance with built-in audit checks and generate reports to track bursary allocations and expenditures.

What do schools say?

The bursary system has been invaluable in managing post-16 bursary applications and gathering confidential evidence. A profile is created for each student to manage their bursary application and confidential evidence. This holds data, evidence, bursary allocations, and all the expenses so we can work so much more efficiently.

The communication tools available mean we can tailor personal messages or group emails. There is so much the system offers, including reporting. My school awards 800 bursaries and having the support of Bursary16+ has been the best investment, a brilliant tool for supporting our vulnerable students more effectively.

Setting up for success

Resources for post-16 bursaries

DfE checklist for 16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Eligibility for all bursaries

Student meets the age criteria.
Eligible education provision.
Student meets the residency criteria for post-16 provision.
Evidence of eligibility has been retained.

Bursary for defined vulnerable groups

Student falls within one of the defined vulnerable groups, for example in receipt of the specified benefits in their own right or in care/care leaver.
Financial needs assessment carried out to confirm actual financial need and amount of support required. No student should automatically receive £1,200.
Appropriate evidence seen and copies retained to confirm student’s eligibility.
Support awarded in kind (bus pass, meal vouchers, books or equipment purchased on student’s behalf) wherever possible. Receipts should be retained.
Support awarded in cash (via BACs) for travel, meals, books or equipment. Receipts should be obtained/retained.
Award letter/written agreement issued to student.

Discretionary bursary

Evidence to confirm the student meets the institution’s bursary fund criteria, including household income and statement of actual participation costs.
Evidence of income and overall eligibility obtained and copies retained.
Assessment of student’s actual financial needs carried out. Block, blanket or flat rate payments are not permitted – the bursary award should reflect the actual costs the student has.
Support awarded in kind (bus pass, meal vouchers, books or equipment purchased on student’s behalf) wherever possible. Receipts should be retained.
Support awarded in cash (via BACs) for travel, meals, books or equipment. Receipts should be obtained/retained.
Award letter/written agreement issued to student.

Cost calculator

Did you know that schools can use up to 5% of their academic year allocation on administrative costs specifically relating to managing the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund?

Useful guidance for helping to assess student applications for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund.

Select the number of bursaries you typically process

200

Your Bursary Fund

£ 240,000.00

Based on the standard bursary fund of £ 1,200.00 per student

5% for Administration Allowance

£ 12,000.00

Cost of Bursary16+

£ 1,950.00

The cost would be fully covered under the new legislation. So you can effectively get Bursary16+ for free!

Free Balance (administration minus cost of Bursary16+)

£ 10,050.00

This is the administration allowance you still have left over after purchasing Bursary16+

Resources

2025 to 2026 academic year

DfE Bursary Fund Guide

DfE checklist

It's taken the pressure off staff and students. It's making the process a lot more seamless - and the evidence is there so it makes the auditing side a lot more straight-forward.

Frankie Bryan

Alderbrook School

Everything is in one place...it's easier for the students to apply but also easier for them to make requests. It's just made that whole process much easier.

Christopher Dakin

The City of London College

There used to be too many pieces of paper but Bursary16+ has revolutionised all of that. We don't have to chase documents anymore...and it makes life so much easier with EFSA audits.

Sarah Dawson

Activate Learning Education Trust

Instead of us having to collate the information and manually check it...we can see the information directly on the screen against the parameters we've already set. This means we're ready to make an offer as soon as the application is complete.

Nigel Newman

Wrotham School

Award bursaries with minimal effort