16 to 19 Bursary scheme

Who is eligible for the bursary scheme?

To be eligible, you must:

  • Attend a participating school/Local Authority provider in North Tyneside which is part of the scheme (see page 4 for a list)
  • Be starting Year 12, 13 or 14 in September 2025
  • Be aged between 16 and 18 on 31 August 2025
  • Been a resident of the UK, EEA or EU for 3 years or more. (Proof of residency status may be requested if you have not)

In addition, there are eligibility criteria for the different levels of bursary available. You only need to meet one of the criteria below to be eligible:

Bursary

You must be:

  • In care
  • Left care having been in care for a minimum of 3 months from the age of 14
  • In receipt of Income Support (or Universal Credit)
  • In receipt of both Employment and Support Allowance (or Universal Credit) and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment

Bursary – Discretionary

Typically, for access to a Discretionary Bursary, we would ask for some evidence of need, which can include the examples below:

  • Eligible for Free School Meals
  • A family in receipt of Tax/Universal Credit
  • Families with low household income*

In addition, we will consider students experiencing hardship, severe need or an emergency. Typically, circumstances could include:

  • Recent parental unemployment
  • Severe financial hardship
  • Other circumstances will be considered (please tell us)

This is a flexible fund to respond to hardship and to address barriers that might be preventing you from completing your sixth form course. The typical criteria to help us to assess your application includes:

  • Your particular circumstances and why you need a discretionary bursary
  • What you will use the discretionary bursary for i.e. a detailed account of how you will spend the money
  • Your household income
  • The number of dependent children/young people in your household

Receipt of other support funds, such as allowances or bursaries, will be taken into account in determining any Discretionary Bursary payments. As the Bursary Fund is dependent on Government funding, the availability of the Discretionary Bursary is subject to affordability and priority will be given to young people from households with low income.

Household income for discretionary bursaries includes:

  • Wages
  • Benefits
  • Tax/Universal Credits
  • Rental income
  • Share dividends
  • Interest on savings

*Household income is worked out using your earnings/income plus any Tax/Universal Credits you receive