Vulnerable Bursary

The Vulnerable Bursary is a grant of up to £1,200.00 for students who may have difficulties in completing their course because of financial considerations.

Each application will be individually assessed and funding will be awarded dependent on the student's actual financial need. To be eligible for financial assistance from the Vulnerable Bursary you must meet th eligibility criteria, be an enrolled student as defined by the College and aged 16-18 on 31 August 2024. Students aged 19+ on 31 August 2024 are not eligible for bursaries for vulnerable groups.

2024-25 DECLARATION

Please ensure you have downloaded, saved and understood the 2024-25 Declaration for Financial Assistance before applying. 

Financial Assistance Declaration 2024-25

ELIGIBILITY 

The defined vulnerable groups are students who are: 

• in care 
• care leavers 
• receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner 
• receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC) in their own right 

DEFINING IN CARE AND CARE LEAVERS

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund defines ‘in care’ as children looked after by a local authority on a voluntary basis (section 20 of the Children Act 1989) or under a care order (section 31 of the Children Act 1989). Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 defines the term ‘looked after child’.

A ‘care leaver’ is defined as:

1. a young person aged 16 and 17 who was previously looked after for a period of 13 weeks consecutively (or periods amounting to 13 weeks), which began after the age of 14 and ended after the age of 16; or
2. a young person aged 18 or above who was looked after prior to becoming 18 for a period of 13 weeks consecutively (or periods amounting to 13 weeks), which began after the age of 14 and ended after the age of 16

EVIDENCE 

You will be required to download and save documents as PDFs or photocopy/scan letters and email the evidence as PDF documents. Please visit the Bursary Fund page for assistance on scanning evidence. 

• If you are (the student) in care or a care leaver - the Local Authority or your Social Worker will be able to provide you with an official letter to confirm this
• If you are (the student) receiving Income Support or Universal Credit (UC), a recent letter from the department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is required to confirm that you are entitled to the benefit(s) in your own right. Documents must not state any conditions that prevent you from participating in further education or training. For student's in receipt of Universal Credit please also provide additional evidence in the form of either; a tenancy agreement in your own name, a child benefit receipt, a child's birth certificate or a recent utility bill. UC claimants should download/print off details of their award from their online account accompanied by x3 most recent monthly statements
• If you are (the student) in receipt of either DLA or PIP as well as ESA or UC. Recent letters from the DWP are required to confirm the benefits you receive

Benefits must be paid to you directly to the student not to your parents/carers. 

HOW TO APPLY

1. Email transportandbursary@henleycol.ac.uk with your supporting evidence and request an online application for the Vulnerable Bursary.
2. Complete the online application form.
3. Once both evidence and online application form has been received, you will be emailed with further information. Please check your email's spam/clutter folder. 

We are now accepting evidence for the 2024-25 academic year.

PAYMENTS

BACS PAYMENTS

Bursary payments will only be paid into the STUDENT'S bank account. It is the student's responsibility to open a bank account in their own name before any bursary payments are issued. Payments will not be paid into another person's account whilst a student account is being set up. If a student is unable to administer their own account please email transportandbursary@henleycol.ac.uk confirming the mitigating circumstances. 

Students will be expected to visit the Admissions Office (D112) from Friday 6 September to midday on Thursday 12 September to confirm their banking details, collect a copy of the 2024-25 Financial Declaration and sign a document confirming that they agree to the bursary terms and conditions. Failure to confirm bank details in person or collect and sign the 2024-25 Financial Declaration will result in NO PAYMENT. 

Failure to sign and provide bank details before midday on Thursday 12 September will result in a delay in your first instalment payment being issued. If you do not confirm your banking details or sign the appropriate documents this will result in NO PAYMENT. Applications received after Friday 6 September will be processed at the earliest convenience but not within our standard time frame. 

COACHES

If applying for the college-run coach, further details will be emailed to you once your Travel Bursary has been submitted and your accompanying evidence has been received. Student's applying for the coach MUST follow the above guidance regarding bank details and signing the 2024-25 Financial Declaration. Failure to do this will result in a delay in receiving a coach pass. No pass, no entry will be enforced on all of the college-run coaches from Monday 16 September.