Financial Support for students aged 16-19
The government give schools additional money to support students aged 16 to 19 who need help with their education-related costs, such as meals, books, equipment, and travel costs to school.
What do we offer?
There are three types of financial support we can offer to eligible students:
- Free school meals
- Bursaries for defined vulnerable groups
- Discretionary Bursaries
Free School Meals
You will qualify for free school meals if your household is in receipt of one or more types of benefits.
To find out more and apply please visit: Cheshire West & Chester website
What are Bursaries?
A bursary is money that the school will allocate to you to help with your education-related costs such as books, equipment, essential trips, and travel costs. Wherever possible, the school will purchase the items on your behalf. If this is not possible, you will be asked to provide receipts and the school will reimburse you by BACS payment into your bank account.
There are two categories of 16-19 bursary available:
Bursary for defined vulnerable groups
Students in the following defined vulnerable groups may be eligible for support from the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund. Awards are based on an assessment of individual financial need and the actual costs of participating in education. Support may be up to £1,200, but may be lower where a student's costs are less.
- Students in Local Authority care or who have recently left Local Authority care
- Students claiming Income Support or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves and/or someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner
- Students who receive Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right
Discretionary Bursary
The school can also award discretionary bursaries to other students who are facing genuine financial difficulties. We will base all decisions on each individual’s circumstances, the costs they need help with, and the funding available. The criteria we will consider includes the following:
- Students living in a household with a total annual net income (including any taxable earnings and applicable benefits) of less than £35,000.
- Students who are from a single-parent family or have one or more dependent siblings in their family
- Students who have additional responsibilities, such as being a young carer or parent
- Students who have high travel costs
- The level of educational costs the student needs help with e.g. the cost of equipment/clothing required by their course(s)
Applications from households with a net income exceeding £35,000 are not normally considered. However, if any student is facing financial hardship due to exceptional circumstances that will impact their ability to participate in education, they should submit an application together with a supporting statement, evidence of household income, and any evidence of the serious financial difficulties being experienced.
Further information
If you think you may be eligible to apply for a bursary, please read the 16-19 Bursary Fund Information Guide and the 16-19 Bursary Fund Statement which can be downloaded below. This gives full details about the eligibility criteria and the evidence needed to support your application.
How to Apply
To apply for a 16-19 bursary you will need to complete the online application form below. Where supporting evidence is required, you will need to submit this separately to the Trust Finance Team.
All applications and supporting evidence should be submitted by Monday 21st September 2026. This will enable us to assess the overall demand and distribute discretionary awards correctly and fairly. However, we do understand that needs may arise throughout the academic year, and we will still consider applications after this date where appropriate.
To access the online 16-19 Bursary application form, please click the link below:
Please note that all applications will be dealt with in confidence.
If you have any questions, please email the Finance Team at finance@tltrust.co.uk
Students living in Wales
Students who live in Wales should approach their home local authority to make an application for Welsh EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance).
Students may also apply for a discretionary bursary from the 16-19 Bursary Fund but are not eligible for a bursary for defined vulnerable groups. Please note, however, that we will consider any support the student is receiving from Wales before making any bursary award.
Please note that meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee an award. All awards are based on an assessment of financial need, actual participation costs and the funding available.
