The government has announced a new £180 million bursary scheme to help the most vulnerable 16-19 years olds continue in full-time education.
The scheme is made up of two parts:
•a guaranteed payment to a small group of the most vulnerable
•a discretionary fund for schools and colleges to distribute
Around 12,000 16 to 19 year olds will be given guaranteed bursaries of £1,200 a year. Schools and colleges can distribute the rest of the money to support any student who faces genuine financial barriers to participation such as costs of transport, food or equipment. There will also be additional transitional arrangements to help those who are part-way through their studies and are currently receiving the EMA.
The current discretionary fund is £26 million. In future the fund will be worth £180 million. Even after the guaranteed bursaries have been paid to the most vulnerable 12,000, colleges will still have £165m for the discretionary pot. Find out more about this by visiting
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_196400
