Bursary and Free Meals in Further Education
The College administers the government funded 16-19 Bursary Fund and free meals in further education. The government has recently changed the free meals in further education eligibility so that from the start of the 2026-27 academic year all students from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to a free meal in further education.
Free Meals in Further Education
Free meals are targeted at students in receipt of, or having parents who are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Households in receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee element of Pension Credit may also be entitled.
16-19 Bursary Fund
There are two types of 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 addition to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC – all benefits must be received by the student, in their own right.
Discretionary Bursaries
Applications are means tested based on total household income (including any benefits) which should not exceed £45,000 and original documentation will be required to support this.
Both bursaries help eligible students with the essential costs of participating such as:
- the purchase of essential books;
- travel to and from College;
- specialist equipment required for your study programme.
- essential educational trips;
- support with travel to universities for Open Days; and
- UCAS application fee.
The amount of support available will depend on the number of students applying and the money available to the College.
If you would like to apply for either bursary and/or free meals in further education, please complete the application form which was emailed to you. Copies are also available from outside the Student Services Office (C109). Any queries, please email 16-19bursaryfund@stdoms.ac.uk. Completed application forms (together with the supporting documentation) should be returned to Student Services.
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.