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There is other support available for low income families and vulnerable post-16 students.

These bursaries funded by the Education Funding Agency (ESFA) and are managed by sixth forms and colleges.

The 16 to 19 bursary fund has two parts, a discretionary bursary and a vulnerable bursary.

To be eligible for the vulnerable bursary, students must fall into one of these categories:

• In, or recently left care provided by the local council 
• Getting income support or universal credit in their own name
• Disabled and getting both Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and either Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in their own name

If they do not fall into one of the above categories, they could apply for a discretionary bursary.

Student services can tell students about their criteria and any evidence needed.

What we mean by low-income family

We use the same criteria as for free school meals for younger students, where the parent / carer receive of any of the following benefits:

• Income support
• Income-based jobseekers allowance
• Income-related employment and support allowance 
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of state pension credit
• Child tax credit only, provided your annual household income (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs) does not exceed £16,190
• Universal credit