Financial Assistance

Page updated 4 September  2023
 
16-19 Bursary Fund
 
What is the 16-19 Bursary Fund?
 
The College receives money from the Education & Skills Funding Agency to help students with the cost of studying. The fund is available to students who have lived in the UK or the EU for the past 3 years at least. There are two types of bursary available to young people, a Vulnerable Bursary and Discretionary Bursary.
 
More information about the 16-19 Bursary Fund can be found on the government website https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund
 
Vulnerable Bursary
 
If you fall into one of the following categories, then you fall into the higher priority group and will receive a Vulnerable Bursary of £1,200 per year to help with the cost of studying:
  • You are in or recently left local authority care
  • You get Income Support or Universal Credit in your own name
  • You get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in your own name and either Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit
  • You get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in your name AND either Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit
The College will require original evidence from external agencies, key worker/social worker or evidence of a benefit in your own name.
 
Please email bursary@woodhouse.ac.uk for more information about how to apply for the 16-19 vulnerable bursary.
 
Discretionary Bursary
 
If you live at home with your parent(s) or carer(s) who receive benefits and have a total yearly income of under £20,000 you fall into the lower priority group and MAY be eligible for financial help from the Discretionary Fund.
 
You may also get help from the Discretionary Bursary Fund if you are a young carer, or have an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Please email bursary@woodhouse.ac.uk to find out how to access this help.
 
How can I apply for the Bursary Fund?
 
Application forms are available from the Attendance Office or you can download the application by clicking below:
 
 
Completed applications and any other supporting evidence needs to be submitted to the Attendance Office as soon as possible.
 
If you are unsure about the application process or the documents needed to support an application, please see a member of the Attendance team. 
 
Closing date for 16-19 Bursary applications is Monday 16th October 2023.
 
Applications should ideally be submitted as early as possible.
 
A small percentage of the Fund will be held back for emergency payments to students whose circumstances change mid-year causing them financial hardship.
 
Successful applicants
 
Payments are issued by BACS half-termly, in arrears, depending on attendance, behaviour and progress on the course. STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR OWN BANK ACCOUNT in order to receive payments.
 
N.B. Savings Accounts cannot be accepted.
 
Unsuccessful applicants
 
If your application is unsuccessful there is an Appeals process and you will receive a letter from Student Services with guidance on how to appeal.

 

Free School Meals
 
What are Free School Meals?
 
The College receives funding to make a free school meal available for all eligible students for each day the student attends their study programme.
 
More information about further education free school meals can be find on the government website:
 
Who is eligible for Free School Meals?
 
Free school meals are targeted at disadvantaged students.  The Education and Skills Funding Agency defines ‘disadvantaged’ as students being in receipt of, or having parents/carers 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 Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs - HMRC) Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa
How can I apply for Free School Meals?
 
Please apply via the Free School Meals application form. Alternatively Free School Meal applications are available from the Attendance Office. Completed applications must be returned along with the required evidence to the Attendance Office as soon as possible.
 
Students will ONLY receive Free School Meals once the application form has been completed and a Proof of Benefit letter or the most recent Universal Credit Award statements (x3).
 
You will be informed via email if your application for Free School Meals is successful. Free school meals will commence the following day.
 
 
Child Care Support for Young Parents
 
Please email bursary@woodhouse.ac.uk to find out more about the Care to Learn scheme.