Bursary types & evidence

18.06.25 - This page is currently being updated

Student Bursary Portal - new for September 2025

To start your application please visit: FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE UPDATED SHORTLY.

Further details on the 16-19 Discretionary Bursary Fund, Vulnerable Bursary and Free School Meals can be found below. 

Enrolled students may apply for financial assistance for help with the cost of transport, compulsory trips, course materials/equipment and Free School Meals. Please ensure you have downloaded, saved and understood the 2025-26 Declaration for Financial Assistance before applying.

2025-26 DECLARATION

Financial Assistance Declaration 2025-26

16-19 Discretionary Bursary 

The following guidelines apply: 

• If the student's family are in receipt of means tested benefits with a household income of £30,000.00 or below, the student may be awarded a grant of up to 70% towards the cost of transport. 

• If a student's household income is up to £30,000.00 per year, the student may be awarded a grant of up to 70% towards the cost of transport.
• Proof of household income and any benefits must accompany the application; without this you will not be eligible. The student must also live more than 2 miles walking distance from college (please use Google maps) 

Funds are limited and cannot be guaranteed. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first served basis. 

All applications must provide evidence of one of the following in the form of a scanned PDF document(s).

Evidence

Vulnerable Bursary 

The Vulnerable Bursary is a grant of up to £1,200.00 for students who may have difficulties in completing their course because of financial considerations.

Each application will be individually assessed and funding will be awarded dependent on the student's actual financial need. To be eligible for financial assistance from the Vulnerable Bursary you must meet th eligibility criteria, be an enrolled student as defined by the College and aged 16-18 on 31 August 2025. Students aged 19+ on 31 August 2025 are not eligible for bursaries for vulnerable groups.

The defined vulnerable groups are students who are: 

• in care 
• care leavers 
• receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner 
• receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC) in their own right 

DEFINING IN CARE AND CARE LEAVERS

The Department for Education (16 to 19 Bursary Fund) defines ‘in care’ as children looked after by a local authority on a voluntary basis (section 20 of the Children Act 1989) or under a care order (section 31 of the Children Act 1989). Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 defines the term ‘looked after child’.

A ‘care leaver’ is defined as:

1. a young person aged 16 and 17 who was previously looked after for a period of 13 weeks consecutively (or periods amounting to 13 weeks), which began after the age of 14 and ended after the age of 16; or
2. a young person aged 18 or above who was looked after prior to becoming 18 for a period of 13 weeks consecutively (or periods amounting to 13 weeks), which began after the age of 14 and ended after the age of 16

Only students who meet this definition are eligible if they have a financial need. 

EVIDENCE 

• If you are (the student) in care or a care leaver - the Local Authority or your Social Worker will be able to provide you with a recent official letter to confirm this
• If you are (the student) receiving Income Support or Universal Credit (UC), a recent letter from the department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is required to confirm that you are entitled to the benefit(s) in your own right. Documents must not state any conditions that prevent you from participating in further education or training. For student's in receipt of Universal Credit please also provide additional evidence in the form of either; a tenancy agreement in your own name, a child benefit receipt, a child's birth certificate or a recent utility bill. UC claimants should download/print off details of their award from their online account accompanied by x3 most recent monthly statements
• If you are (the student) in receipt of either DLA or PIP as well as ESA or UC. Recent letters from the DWP are required to confirm the benefits you receive

Free School Meals 

Students must be aged 16-18 on 31 August 2025 or aged 19-25 with an EHCP and live in a household in receipt of one the benefits listed below. Eligible students will be allocated £4.50 (this may increase or decrease depending on funding) to your cashless account each college day. The £4.50 can be spent in either the Rotherfield or the Deanfield canteen. If you are going on a college day trip or will be attending a work experience placement students can contact the Chartwells manager in advance to organise alternatives. 

Evidence

1. Did you qualify for Free School Meals at your previous school? You will need to contact your school to confirm your Free School Meal eligibility, full name and date of birth via email or post and then forward this to freeschoolmeals@henleycol.ac.uk.

Or

2. Proof of benefits cannot be demonstrated by bank statements and we cannot recognise any other benefit other than those mentioned below. Evidence must be submitted in the form of scanned PDF documents, all pages of the letter/statement must be included and uploaded through the Student Bursary Portal.