Student Finance

Applying for Bursary

Bursary Fund

The 16-19 bursary fund is designed to help support young people who face financial barriers to continuing education post 16. The fund has two elements:

Element 1: Financial support for the most vulnerable learners, i.e, young people in care, young people in receipt of income support or universal credit, and disabled young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. 

Element 2: A discretionary fund to help young people from families in receipt of a means tested benefit to meet the costs related to participation, transport, books, equipment and other course related costs.  Bursary payment will be subject to good attendance and punctuality. Details of eligibility criteria and an application form are available on the college website. Students will only receive the bursary if their attendance is above 90% per week. 

 Eligibility 

Students applying for support from the 16-19 Bursary Fund must: 

• Be registered on a full-time course at Oldham Sixth Form College; 
• Be aged under 19 on 31 August in the academic year in which they start their programme of study; 
• Operate a bank account in their own name;
• Satisfy the residency criteria in the document EFA Funding Guidance: Funding Regulations (full details of eligibility criteria are available on request); 
• Be identified as a ‘Element 1’ learner’ i.e. young people in care, care leavers, young people in receipt of income support and disabled young people in receipt of Employment and Support allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance;

or 

• ‘Element 2’ learners qualify on an assessment of family income, as detailed below.

 Proof of Eligibility

You will need to upload current evidence of your eligibility during the online application process. 

‘Element 1’ learners  should upload proof/confirmation of: 

• Looked after status from the local authority; or 
• Receipt of own income support.

‘Element 2’ learners should upload evidence of their parents’ means tested benefit

• Universal Credits 
• Income Support 
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance 
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit  
• Tax Credits

Please note, the address and names of your parent(s)/ guardian on the documents must match the details the college holds for you from your original college application. 

Guide To Eligibility

Applying for and receiving bursary

Students who have not previously received Bursary payments from Oldham Sixth Form College, or students whose financial circumstances have changed, will need to complete the online application form. This is available via the Applicant Portal before enrolment, or via the Student Portal after enrolment at the college, or using the button at the bottom of this page.

Once your application has been approved you will be notified by email. If your application has not been successful for any reason, you will also be contacted via email with further instruction. 

Please note, no back-dated payments will be made. Failure to enter your bank details correctly will result in you losing that payment. Remember to take care when entering your details and if you are unsure of this procedure please speak with the Bursary Team at main reception or via email bursary@osfc.ac.uk 

Bursary students are eligible for:

• A subsidy towards examination resit fees if they meet the criteria on attendance, punctuality and behaviour. Please note the College cannot support you with additional fees relating to late entry of exams. 
• Free meals, up to the value of £5, which are allocated via the Breaz ordering app and can be used in the college café areas on a daily basis.
• Trips assistance towards the total cost of the trip. Students must complete the bursary trips assistance request form prior to making any payment, as we will not be able to make retrospective awards.
• A weekly payment, made by bank transfer, if they meet the criteria on attendance and punctuality.
• If a student is entitled to Free School Meals and is required to purchase lunch while on a school trip or residential, the student is able to claim the daily FSM allowance of £5 from OSFC. Students will be contacted by the finance team after the trip to arrange collection.

Attendance

Attendance will be assessed for the week preceding the Bursary payment. In order to qualify for payments, you must have a minimum attendance of 90% for the previous week. The attendance criteria apply to all timetabled sessions, including Progress Tutor sessions, enrichment activities and workshops.

The following types of absences from the college will automatically be treated as present: 

• College organised trips and visits
• Exam study leave
• Work experience organised by the college 
• University visits arranged by the college. 

University interviews, visits and appointments (doctors, dentist and orthodontist) that have not been arranged by the College can be authorised. Students will need to notify the absence on CEDAR and then send evidence to info@osfc.ac.uk  This must be done prior to the absence.

Persistent lateness will count towards your attendance and may therefore affect your bursary payment.

Bursary payments

Payments are weekly and will be paid into student’s bank accounts every Wednesday. In order to qualify for the payment, you must have a minimum attendance of 90% from the previous week. The attendance criteria applies to all timetabled sessions, including Progress Tutor sessions, enrichment activities and workshops. 

However, payments at the start of the school year may differ, students will be informed of payment dates in September.

Scheme Integrity  

College closely monitors all claims made. Any suspicions of fraud will be investigated fully. In such cases payments will be stopped immediately, and disciplinary action and legal action will be taken as deemed necessary. College will seek to recover monies paid as a result of fraudulent claims. 

APPLY FOR BURSARY 

Opening times and contact information:

(Mon-Fri 9am- 2pm. Location- Main Reception. Bursary@osfc.ac.uk).

FAQ

Do I need to reapply for the bursary in year 13?

Yes, you will need to reapply but you don’t need to provide further evidence.   Click into the bursary application and follow the instructions

I have completed my bursary application, when will I hear if I have been approved?

The applications are checked regularly.  You will hear within three working days

How much bursary will I receive?

Discretionary bursary is £10 per week and £5.00 per day to pay for your school meal using the Breaz app.

Vulnerable students will receive £32.50 every week. 

What evidence do I need to provide?

• Current Tax Credit Award Letter- All pages of letter and dated within the past 6 months
• Benefit Award Letter (Income Support, Employment, Support Allowance), - All pages of letter and dated within the past 12 months
• All pages of the most recent monthly Universal Credit statement, if parent is employed we also need to see the P60 for previous year

Is there a deadline for the applications?

Students can apply for the bursary all year round.  Although, payments will not be backdated.

Is there funding/ support for asylum seekers?

Please find further information here.

Additional Support: