If you are aged between 16 and 19 years and think you might struggle with the costs for full-time education, you may be eligible to receive a bursary. The government has replaced the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) with limited funds to support pupils in need.

The Bursary Fund can provide help with the funding of books, equipment, transport costs, examination resit fees, educational visits, and university open days/interviews, and other miscellaneous items.

There are two types of means tested bursary available for 16 to 19 old pupils:

1.THE VULNERABLE BURSARY

2.THE DISCRETIONARY BURSARY 

Application Process

Written applications for financial support are invited from pupils or their parents in confidence to finance@romanfields.herts.sch.uk. James Marks Academy Trust will require the completed application form with supporting evidence to satisfy our auditors.

Allocation of Funds

James Marks Academy Trust is responsible for awarding bursaries to its pupils. With the exception of the £1,200 vulnerable bursary for pupils most in need, the amount paid to other pupils is at the Trusts discretion.

Payments will be made 'in-kind' for the items identified and agreed within the application.

Please see further details on the attached 16-19 Bursary Fund Policy/Application Form

Break down of payments:

• Band A to receive £1200 per annum
• Band B to receive approximately £600 per annum
• Band C to receive approximately £200 per annum

Eligibility Criteria

Category A

Pupils most in need will be eligible to receive a vulnerable bursary of £1,200 a year.

This group includes:

• pupils in care under the Local Authority
• care leavers (a care leaver is someone who has been in the care of the Local Authority for a period of 13 weeks or more spanning his or her 16th birthday)
• pupils claiming income support
• disabled students who receive Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance

Category B

Those pupils who are most likely to need financial support will qualify for free school meals and therefore their parents or guardians would be in receipt of one or more of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seekers’ Allowance
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £16,190 (provided you’re not also receiving Working Tax Credit)
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after employment finishes or after you start to work for fewer than 16 hours per week
• Universal Credit

Pupils whose parents or guardians are in receipt of any of the above benefits are urged to register for Free School Meals to qualify for the bursary.

Category C

Pupils with parents/guardians earning below £25,000 and not claiming Free School Meals.