Student Finance (Bursary & Free School Meals)
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome the specific financial barriers to participation they face so they can remain in education. This policy should be read in conjunction with the government’s 16 to 19 bursary fund guide.
There are two types of 16 to 19 bursaries:
- Bursaries for defined vulnerable groups of up to £1,200 a year
- Discretionary bursaries which institutions award using policies they set, in line with the DfE funding rules
Who is eligible for 16-19 Bursary Funding?
Eligibility criteria: all bursaries
For both types of bursary students must meet the eligibility criteria set out in paragraph 3 of the DfE 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guide 2025 to 2026 academic year.
You must be enrolled on your course at MV16 before you can commence an application for bursary. Incoming year 12 students will need to wait until your enrollment is confirmed following your GCSE results.
Eligibility criteria: bursaries for young people in defined vulnerable groups
For vulnerable groups bursary, students must meet the eligibility criteria set out in paragraph 4 of the DfE 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guide 2025 to 2026 academic year.
Eligibility criteria: discretionary bursaries
The DfE permit institutions to set their own eligibility criteria for discretionary bursaries. In all instances, even where you meet the criteria below, the award is based on actual financial need. Students must explicitly set out their needs at application stage.
For full details, read our Bursary Policy for 2025-26 here.
Free College Meals
At post 16 institutions assess applications against the government eligibility criteria. Applications must be made through the bursary/free college meals platform using the link shown on the top right hand side of this page.