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Bursary and Free Meals in Further Education

The College administers the Government funded Free Meals in Further Education and the 16-19
Bursary Fund. Please note receipt of free meals in secondary school is not an automatic continuation
in Sixth Form.

Free Meals in Further Education

Free meals are targeted at disadvantaged students. Free Meals in Further Education defines
disadvantage as students being in receipt of, or having parents who are in receipt of, one or more of
the following benefits:

• Income Support;
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance;
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit;
• Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual
  gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC))
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax
  Credit. Working Tax Credit is not a qualifying benefit for free meals;
• Universal Credit (UC) with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 for each year
  (after tax and not including any benefits they get).

A parent or student must be in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits and under the threshold set
out above to be eligible. Application forms are available on enrolment day or from outside Student
Services Office (C109). Any queries, please email 16-19bursaryfund@stdoms.ac.uk

Please note the Department for Education has issued updated guidance regarding Free Meals in Further Education eligibility.  From the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, all students from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to a free meal.

16-19 Bursary Fund

There are two types of 16-19 bursaries:

• Bursaries for young people in defined vulnerable groups;
• Discretionary bursaries for young people.

Bursaries for young people in defined vulnerable groups
The defined vulnerable groups are:

• Students who are in care;
• Students who are care leavers;
• Students in receipt of Income Support (IS) or Universal Credit (UC) because they are financially
  supporting themselves and a dependent living with them such as a child or partner;
• Students in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments
  (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit
  in their own right.

Bursaries for young people in defined vulnerable groups

The defined vulnerable groups are:

• Students who are in care;
• Students who are care leavers;
• Students in receipt of Income Support (IS) or Universal Credit (UC) because they are financially
  supporting themselves and a dependent living with them such as a child or partner;
• Students in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments
  (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit
  in their own right.

Discretionary Bursaries

Discretionary bursary award provides support to help students overcome the specific financial barriers
to participation they face so they can remain in education. This may include help with:

• Books;
• Essential equipment;
• Travel;
• Essential educational trips;
• Support with travel to universities for Open Days;
• Meals;
• UCAS application fee;
• Loan of a laptop.

The amount of support available will depend on the number of students applying and the money
available to the College.
Applications are means tested based on total household income (including any benefits) which should
not exceed £40,000 per year and original documentation will be required to support this. Application forms
are available on enrolment day or from outside Student Services Office (C109). Any queries, please
email 16-19bursaryfund@stdoms.ac.uk

Full details are available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-bursary-fund-guidance/16-to-19-bursary-fund-guide-2025-to-2026

Conditions of Receipt of a Bursary Award

The application will consist of a signed contract which confirms the legitimacy of the evidence
provided for the household income.
The awards will be conditional on the attendance and behaviour of the student attending the College,
the conditions will include:

• Regular attendance – 95%;
• Punctuality – maximum of two late marks in one week;
• Appropriate behaviour – not in breach of the College’s Code of Conduct, Learner Agreement
  and Behaviour Policy.

Appeals Procedure

If you do not agree with the action taken you must appeal in writing to Ms Pavandeep Gill, Assistant
Principal