A successfully used Bursary or Grant can have a hugely positive impact for those Sixth Form students who qualify, providing them with assistance for travel, trips, school clothes, books and any other materials.
There are two types of grant available to our Sixth Form students; the most common being Discretionary Bursaries.
The amount of financial assistance which we can give is dependent upon your personal circumstances. Each application is confidential and will need to be completed annually.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible, students must:
- be aged under 19 years of age on 31 August 2025
- have been resident in the UK or EEA for three years preceding 31 August 2025
- meet the stated criteria for each type of grant.
Please see the criteria for each type of grant below. If you believe that you do qualify for a bursary or grant, please contact Ms Summers in Student Services as soon as you start at the Academy, or download the application form here.
Discretionary Bursaries
The Academy will award bursaries to those students who face genuine financial barriers to participate in education. The benefits received will be paid by the Finance Office in the form of reimbursement for learning materials or activities.
The level of support we are able to give is dependent upon the number of applications received and the amount we receive from the Department of Education (DfE) for this purpose.
Students must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- A combined Family Income of less than £24,000 per year
- Child Tax Credit with a taxable income of no more than £16,190, and not in receipt of Working Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four-week period after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get).
Appropriate evidence confirming eligibility will be required. This may include evidence of benefits received, as well as other evidence of income, such as:
Salaries and Wages:
- P60
- Month 12 or end-of-year payslips
- Other notifications of benefits in kind (e.g. P11d)
- P45 if employment status has changed during the year
Self-Employment Income:
- Accountants letter on headed paper
- Any self-declaration made to HMRC, or confirmations received from them
Other evidence may include:
- Notifications of receipt of Universal Credit
- Statements of any benefits currently received from Jobcentre Plus or direct from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Further details regarding 16-19 bursaries can be found here:
16 to 19 Bursary Fund guide: 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK
Students eligible for Free School Meals during Secondary Education
As you may be aware, the Department for Education provides funding for Free School Meals for eligible students up until the end of Year 11. Students experiencing financial hardship in Sixth Form are encouraged to apply for a discretionary bursary and many may have already done so. If eligible, some of that funding can be allocated to food purchased on site.
If the application is successful, you will need to provide bank account details for an account in the name of the student in receipt of the bursary.
The cut-off date for applying for a bursary is Friday 19 September 2025
Vulnerable Bursary
Students qualify for this bursary if they:
- are in care
- have been in care,
- or are in receipt of certain benefits in their own name
The bursary can amount to a maximum of £1,200 per annum towards the costs of education and attending the Academy. It is paid after receipts have been received and is subject to the student meeting our attendance and behaviour criteria.