Student Bursary

What Is the Bursary Fund?

The Chase Bursary is a fund to support students aged 16-19, following BTEC and A Level courses, with their learning.

Applications can be made by a student at The Chase who is studying a course in The Sixth Form.

The amount of each award will be assessed and disbursed on an individual basis as detailed in the individual’s application form. You will see in the guidelines that there are three types of applications that can be made. Two types of application involve the school making discretionary payments and the remaining one is for vulnerable students.

Bursaries will be used to help young people pay for the costs related to participation e.g. costs of trips directly associated with the course, transport, books and equipment and other course-related costs.

How Old Must the Student Be to Claim?

To be eligible to receive a bursary the young person must be under 19 on 31st August in the academic year in which they start their programme of study. Where a young person turns 19 during their programme of study, they can continue to be supported to the end of the academic year in which they turn 19, or to the end of programme of study, whichever is sooner.

Who Is Eligible?

Below is an explanation of the three levels of applications that can be made. Please read this information before deciding which level applies. 

Attached to these guidelines are two application forms. Please complete the one that is relevant to your application i.e. Non-Discretionary Award or Discretionary Award and attach your supporting evidence (please read the further information guidelines below for more information regarding evidence that can be used).

Level A

Vulnerable student bursary

Students who the Government has classed as ‘vulnerable’ can apply for a bursary. These include:

 The eligible groups are students who are:

• in care

• care leavers

• getting Income Support (IS) or Universal Credit (UC) in place of Income Support in their own right

• getting Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments in their own right

• Please note that to qualify as eligible for a vulnerable student payment the young person does not have to live independently of their parents; they can claim ESA or UC in their own right. Parents should note that they will not be able to claim Child Benefit for them if the young person’s claim for ESA succeeds.

• Whilst a student may be eligible for a vulnerable bursary, this is not a guarantee of an award because they may not have any actual financial need. This might be because their financial needs are already met and/or because they have no relevant costs. 

Level B

Discretionary Bursary

 A discretionary award will be made to students who have a total gross annual household income below £16,190 or less.

Please note that the amount paid will be dependent on individual circumstances and the receipt of supporting evidence.

Level C

Discretionary Bursary

For students whose parents/carers have a gross annual household income of between £16,190 and £25,521.

These students will be considered for a discretionary award to support them with their studies but will receive a smaller contribution than students who meet category B requirements.

Please note that the amount paid will also be dependent on individual circumstances and the receipt of supporting evidence.

What Evidence Is Required?

The School will need to take account of the student’s household income as evidenced by receipt of benefit and/or P60, Tax Credit Award Notice or evidence of self-employment income or 3-6 months’ worth of bank statement or universal credit statements as evidence. Students currently or previously in receipt of free school meals are not automatically entitled to receive a bursary, but this may be taken into account.

Further Information

Bursary awards will only be granted to students who meet the expectations of the Chase Home School Agreement.

Applications will be made by returning the relevant application form with details of income attached and crucially, how the money will be spent by the student to support their learning.

If an application is unsuccessful, an appeal can be lodged in accordance with The Chase’s complaints procedure for due consideration by the Head of Sixth Form, the Head and then by a panel of Governors.