Can I get a bursary at college aged 16 to 19?

For students aged 16 to 19 in England at a publicly funded school or college, or on a training course, who need help with study costs.

Applies to: England Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

You could get a 16 to 19 Bursary if you're studying at a publicly funded school or college in England, or on a training course. It helps with things like books, equipment, transport and lunch.

Students in vulnerable groups can get up to £1,200.
Others may get a discretionary bursary; your college decides the amount.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have Education Maintenance Allowance instead.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Wales: Check gov.wales for Wales
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Up to £1,200
Apply through your college
England only

The two types of bursary

Type	Who it is for	How much
Vulnerable group bursary	Students in certain groups (see below)	Up to £1,200 a year, depending on your circumstances and benefits
Discretionary bursary	Students who need help but are not in a vulnerable group	Your school or college decides

Who can get a vulnerable group bursary

You may get up to £1,200 if you are:

in care, or recently left local authority care
getting Income Support or Universal Credit in your own name because you support yourself
getting Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, and also Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit

Who can get a discretionary bursary

Each school or college sets its own rules. They usually look at your family's income and your own situation.

Age and course rules

For the 2026 to 2027 school year, you must be at least 16 and under 19 on 31 August 2026. You must also be:

studying at a publicly funded school or college in England (not a university), or
on a training course, including unpaid work experience

If you are 19 or over, you can only get a discretionary bursary. You must be carrying on a course you started aged 16 to 18, or have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

How to apply

Ask student services or your tutor how their bursary works.
Apply as soon as you know where you will study or train. This means you get the money sooner.
Give any proof your provider asks for.
Reapply each year if your college asks you to.

How the money is paid

Your provider decides how to pay it. It could be:

an instalment by cash, cheque or bank transfer
things you need, like a travel pass, free meals or books
a one-off payment for a study trip or travel to a university interview

The bursary is for costs like clothing, books and equipment for your course, and transport and lunch on days you study.

Things to know

Your provider can stop payments if you break their rules, for example about attendance.
Residency rules apply. Your school or college can check if you meet them.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

The 16 to 19 Bursary is for England only. Students in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can apply for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) instead. The rules and amounts are set by each nation.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

16 to 19 Bursary Fund (GOV.UK)
16 to 19 Bursary Fund: what you'll get (GOV.UK)
16 to 19 Bursary Fund: eligibility (GOV.UK)
16 to 19 Bursary Fund: how to claim (GOV.UK)

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

How to claim

Common questions

Who can get the £1,200 bursary?

You may get up to £1,200 if you're in or recently left local authority care, or get Income Support or Universal Credit because you support yourself. You may also qualify if you get DLA or PIP along with ESA or Universal Credit.

How do I apply for a 16 to 19 Bursary?

Apply to your school, college or training provider as soon as you know where you'll study or train.

Can I get a bursary if I'm 19 or over?

You may get a discretionary bursary if you're continuing a course you started aged 16 to 18, or have an education, health and care plan.

How is the bursary paid?

Your provider decides. It could be paid by cash, cheque or bank transfer, or as things like a travel pass, free meals or books.

Official sources

1.16 to 19 Bursary Fundwww.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund
2.16 to 19 Bursary Fund: what you'll getwww.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund/what-youll-get
3.16 to 19 Bursary Fund: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund/eligibility
4.16 to 19 Bursary Fund: how to claimwww.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund/how-to-claim

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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