Parents & Carers

Financial Support (Bursary / Child Benefit / Universal Credit)

Did you know you might be able to get money to help out with your education?

It's time to get the lowdown on the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund and whether you’re eligible for it…

What is the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund?
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund helps disadvantaged learners pay for things they need to support their education or training.
Examples include:

• Transport and meals on the days you attend centre or on a work placement.

• Clothes, books or other equipment you may need for your studies.

You can also receive one-off payments to cover study trips, DBS's, CSCS cards or travel for interviews too.

How much could I get?
The amount you can get varies depending on your situation and circumstances. But it could be up to £1,200 a year, if you’re studying full-time for at least 30 weeks. If your course is less than that, you can still apply but you’ll probably get less.
Can I apply for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund?

You can apply if you:

• Are aged 16-19 or 19+ with an Education Health Care Plan
• Are on a training course (including unpaid work experience)
• Meet certain criteria based on your or your family’s financial situation (which we’ve explained below)

Types of bursary
There are two types of bursary – vulnerable and discretionary – and you’ll need to meet different criteria to apply for them.
For the vulnerable bursary you will need to be at least one of these:

• In care
• A care leaver
• Getting income support (or universal credit) in your own name
• Getting employment and support allowance, and either disability living allowance or personal independence payments in your own name

The discretionary bursary doesn’t have fixed criteria like this, our finance team will make their own decision based on your family income.

How to apply for the bursary
Ask a member of the team in the centre for a bursary form. Apply as soon as you know where you’re going to study to make sure you don’t miss out.
You’ll need to give them proof that you’re eligible – all the information we require will be detailed on the bursary application form.

What happens next?
A member of the finance team will process your application and check your eligibility, if you are eligible they will write to you confirming the amount of bursary you will receive.

Child Benefit
Nova Training Study Programme and Traineeships meet the requirements for approved education and as a result, your Child Benefit will continue.
Follow this link for more information https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit

Child Benefit tax calculator
Use this tool to get an estimate of:
how much money you get from Child Benefit in a tax year
the High Income Child Benefit tax charge you or your partner may have to pay

 Start Now 

Child Benefit when your child turns 16
Your Child Benefit stops on 31 August on or after your child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training.
It continues if they stay in approved education or training, but you must tell the Child Benefit Office.
https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19

Universal Credits
If your child continues in approved education, you may also be eligible for Universal Credits. https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
If you're aged 16 to 18 or in the first year of your apprenticeship, you’re entitled to the apprentice rate.