Study Programme

Bursaries and Financial Support

LFE’s Bursary Policy

LFE offers financial support through the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund to help young people overcome financial barriers to participating in education. The fund provides support for essential costs such as travel, meals, equipment, and clothing necessary for learning.

Eligibility Criteria

Age Requirements

Learners must be:

  • Aged 16 to 18 on 31 August 2025, or
  • Aged 19 and continuing a programme they began aged 16 to 18 (19+ continuers), or
  • Aged 19 to 25 with an active Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

General Conditions

Learners must meet one or more of the following:

  • Eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).
  • From families receiving means-tested benefits or with a gross annual household income below £28,000 (an additional £2,000 is added per child in the household, excluding the main applicant, up to a maximum of £36,000).
  • A young carer for their own child or a close family member.

Note: Residency requirements and documentation must be satisfied in accordance with government rules.

Whilst on the LFE Study programme, Child Benefit continues to be paid to your parents/carers until you reach the age of 19, or in some cases 20.

All applications should be made through your HM Revenue and Customs Child Benefit Office, details of which can be found online.

You may be asked to provide evidence that you are in full-time education. If so, please contact the lead tutor at your club who will arrange for this to be provided.

1. Vulnerable Bursary

Support of up to £1,200 per year is available for eligible learners in defined vulnerable groups:

  • In care or a care leaver.
  • Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in their own name.
  • Receiving Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in their own name.

Payments are subject to attendance, behaviour, and demonstrated financial need.

2. Discretionary Bursary

Available to learners with a demonstrable financial need who do not meet the vulnerable group criteria. Support is based on individual need and available funding. Areas of support include:

Travel:

  • Subsidised bus passes.
  • Contributions toward public transport costs (bus, train).

A full week’s absence will result in a deduction of that week’s travel costs.

Equipment and Resources

  • Support for essential course-related equipment and clothing.
  • Contributions toward community trust branded kit (e.g. boots, shinpads, practical kit) only if required for participation and work experience.

Free School Meals

  • Emergency support may be issued without full evidence where there is clear, immediate need.
  • Learners eligible under national Free School Meal criteria will receive £2.61 per day.

All discretionary bursary elements are subject to attendance, behaviour, and ongoing eligibility.

Learners eligible under the national Free School Meal criteria will receive £2.61 per day. To qualify, the learner or their parent/carer must be in receipt of one or more of the following:

  • Income Support.
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance.
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
  • Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
  • Child Tax Credit (without Working Tax Credit) and income below £16,190 (HMRC assessed).
  • Working Tax Credit run-on (four weeks only).
  • Universal Credit with net earned income below £7,400 per annum.

Learners must provide evidence of eligibility.

Application Window

  • Deadline for standard bursary applications: 30th September 2025.
  • Late applications will only be considered where financial circumstances change after the deadline, subject to Community Trust, Regional Officer, and Study Programme Manager approval.

How to Apply

  1. Complete LFE’s bursary application form.
  2. Provide valid supporting evidence.
  3. Submit to Community Trust tutor for verification.
  4. Community Trust uploads to OneDrive for LFE MIS assessment.
  5. Decisions made within 10 working days.
  6. Successful applicants must complete the conditions of bursary form.

Payment Guidance

  • Payments made directly to the learner’s bank account unless they are unable to manage finances independently.
  • Bursary cannot fund non-essential extracurricular activities or general learning support.
  • Payment schedule
  • Half Term 1: Paid retrospectively
  • From Half Term 2 onwards: Paid halfway through each half term (50% arrears, 50% advance)

  1. Notification – Applicant informed of decision and reason for refusal or reduction.
  2. Grounds for appeal:
    • Procedural error
    • New evidence
    • Perceived unfair treatment
  3. Informal consultation with bursary team.
  4. Formal written appeal submitted within 14 calendar days, including:
    • Grounds for appeal
    • Supporting evidence
    • Personal statement
  5. Review timeframe – Appeal reviewed within 10 working days.
  6. Outcome – Appeal upheld, amended, or overturned.
  7. Final decision communicated with rationale.
  8. If dissatisfied, learner may escalate to LFE’s Study Programme Manager.
  9. Applicant invited to give feedback.
  10. All documentation securely stored.

Component Threshold Deduction Applied
General Bursary Below 90% attendance Next payment reduced by % of missed lessons (e.g. 85% attendance = 85% payment)
Free School Meals Any full-day absence £2.61 per missed day deducted from next FSM payment
Travel Support Missed full week (Mon–Fri) Full week’s travel cost deducted from next payment