Aston Manor Academy

Bursary Fund Statement 2021/22

Equitas Academies Trust

Aston Manor Academy

16 – 19 Bursary Fund Statement 2021/22

What is the 16-19 Bursary Fund?

The Government has set aside some money for schools, colleges, training providers and local authorities to allocate to young people who need financial support to stay on in further education or training. This is called the 16-19 Bursary Fund. It could help you with any education-related costs that may arise during the school year, including essentials like a meal during the day or transport to your school, college or training provider. Alternatively you might need extra help to buy books, clothing or equipment for your course, or pay for educational visits.

Who can apply?

To apply for a bursary, you must be at least 16 years’ old and under 19 years old at the start of the 2020/21 academic year (in 2020/21 this is the 31st August 2020). You must also be taking part in full-time or part-time further education or training.

How much will be awarded?

There are two types of bursaries:

Vulnerable student bursary – you could receive up to £1,200 if you are:

• In local authority care or you have recently left local authority care
• Receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because you are supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and living with you such as a child ?
• Receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in your own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in your own right.

 

Discretionary bursary – You can apply for a discretionary bursary if you aren’t eligible for a vulnerable bursary, but you need financial help to stay on in further education or training. You could receive this bursary to cover the costs of travel, books and other essential equipment if you meet the following criteria:

• Parents/careers have a gross household income of less than £16,191

 

You will need to provide evidence to support your application. This could include:

Confirmation that parents/carers are in receipt of benefit e.g. Universal Credit, Working tax credit

 

 

Additional Help – Under exceptional circumstances (and for any students who are experiencing short-term financial hardship), 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). Consideration of applications for additional help for students whose parent(s)/carers gross annual household income is above £16,191 , will be subject to the level of available funding remaining after applications for a vulnerable student/discretionary bursary have been awarded.

 

Applications for additional help will be considered on an individual basis. The level of support which the school can offer is dependent upon the total funding available and the number of applications it receives.

Please note: there is a limited amount of funding which means that it will not be possible to support every application and priority will be given to those students from the families with the lowest household income and/or highest demonstrated need. The level of funding may vary during the academic year.

 

Decision Making

Every effort is made by Aston Manor Academy to consider each application on its own merits. In extenuating circumstances the school reserves the right to make awards to individual students who do not necessarily meet all of the listed criteria.

Bursaries will be granted based on the information provided. Funds will only be granted where a genuine need for assistance has been demonstrated. Not all applications will be successful. The funding available is limited, and with the exception of the guaranteed bursaries, awards will not be guaranteed. Students who apply after the budget has been allocated may not be granted an award.

 

How will the bursary be paid?

Aston Manor Academy passports bursary payments to students ‘in kind’ in most cases – this means that instead of receiving money, students could get a public transport travel pass, free meals or course equipment.

Payment Conditions Aston Manor Academy adheres to the following payment conditions. 

 

All bursary payments will be directly linked to attendance, behaviour and performance. See below for further details. ?

To receive bursary payments, your attendance to sixth form must show 95% as a minimum with a high standard of punctuality. This includes timetabled lessons, enrichment, assertive mentoring, and personal tutoring for the specified period. Equally, you must demonstrate full compliance with the learner’s agreement with no referrals relating to conduct or attitude to learning.

The Appeals Procedure

An appeals procedure is in place to ensure that all learners who are unhappy about the decision made regarding their help from the 16 – 19 Bursary Funds are treated equally and are given the right to appeal, by writing to the Clerk to the Trust Board of the Academy. The Finance administrator will inform the student why their payment has been stopped. If the student feels that the decision to stop the payment was unfair, they can try to resolve the problem directly with the 16-19 Bursary panel. If this is unsuccessful the student/ parent/guardian has the right to appeal. The Student will be given the opportunity to present their case within 10 working days and have a representative present The academy is obliged to provide only one appeal hearing and an appeal decision is final. ?

Confidentiality

Aston Manor Academy will ensure that applications are handled confidentially. For audit purposes, however, hard copies of all documentation for learner support will be kept for a period of six years. The information will be made available for audit purposes. Some records may be digitised but these will be held securely and in compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Equal Opportunities

No applicant will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis, taking into account the views of the school, young people and their parents and guidance from the Department for Education and the ESFA.