The 16 to 19 bursary fund provides financial support to help students overcome specific barriers to participation so they can remain in education.

There are two types of 16 to 19 bursaries:

• Bursaries for defined vulnerable groups of up to £1,200 a year.
• Discretionary bursaries which Hope Valley Pathways can award to meet individual needs, for example, help with the cost of transport, meals, books and equipment.

The Department for Education is very clear that the bursary fund is intended to help students with the essential costs of participating in their study programme. 

This might include:

• Travel to and from school or placements.
• Meals – to the value of a free school meal unless already eligible for free school meals.
• Essential materials including stationery and educational resources.
• Textbooks – will be purchased directly by the school.
• Technological devices for learning – will be purchased directly by the school.
• Disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks, for young people as required.
• Travel and associated expenses for university open day visits – for students only.
• Course related activities and visits.
• Professional membership fees where these relate directly to the course.
• Sport activities where these relate directly to the course.
• Specialist clothing, where this is a course requirement.

If you have any questions about the bursary, eligibility or uploading evidence, please contact Hope Valley Pathways at pathways@hopevalley.chorustrust.org.

Completed application forms and relevant evidence must be submitted on or before 13 November 2026. If the application form and evidence is presented later than this date, payments will not be backdated. In exceptional circumstances, where a young person's situation changes, the school does have a contingency fund and in-year applications will be considered.