A key priority for the government is to close the gap in attainment between those from poorer and more affluent backgrounds, and to ensure every young person participates in and benefits from a place in 16 to 19 education or training.

The £180 million 16 to 19 Bursary Fund targets support towards the most financially disadvantaged 16- to 19-year-olds - those who most need help with the costs of staying on.

The Bursary Fund has 2 elements:

• The most vulnerable young people – young people in care, care leavers, those on Income Support or Universal Credit and disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (or Personal Independence Payment) receive yearly bursaries of £1,200.
• The rest of the fund is awarded on a discretionary basis by institutions. Institutions decide how to use this funding and can award discretionary bursaries to any student that is facing genuine financial barriers to participating.

Institutions are free to determine the eligibility criteria for discretionary bursaries, and the frequency of and conditions for payments for all awards; subject to the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and the information published on this page.

Please click on the following links to access information about the 16-19 Bursary Fund, including guidance about how to apply.

• Department of Education website.
• Guidance booklet on government website.