- Discretionary Learner Support
- 16-19 Bursary Fund
What is Discretionary Learner Support (DLS)
If you are aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could get DLS. Young people need to apply directly to their academy, school, college or other training provider for support from the scheme.
Further details on the scheme can be obtained by visiting the following website:
Schools and colleges help to determine the best form of provision in the given circumstances and further details can be obtained from each individual school/college.
16-19 Bursary Fund
You may be able to get a bursary to help with education-related costs if you are aged 16 to 19 and are: studying at school or college (not University) in England; or on a training course, including unpaid work experience.
A bursary is money that can be used to pay for things like clothing, books and other equipment for your course, transport and lunch on days you study or train.
There are two types of 16 to 19 bursary: Vulnerable student bursary and Discretionary bursary.
What is Vulnerable student bursary
You may be able to claim up to £1,200 if at least one of the following applies:
- you are in or recently left local authority care;
- you get Income Support or Universal Credit in your name;
- you are disabled and get both Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and either Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in your name.
What is Discretionary bursary
You could get a discretionary bursary if you need financial help but don’t qualify for a vulnerable student bursary.
Education and training providers set their own criteria for discretionary bursaries, e.g. they might look at family income, how much you get and what it’s used for.
How to apply
Apply to your school, college or training provider. You can ask student services or your tutor to explain what you need to do.
Care to Learn support for childcare while you study
If you are studying and aged under 20 at the start of your course, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare costs while you are learn
Care to Learn is only available for courses in England that have some public funding.
This includes courses that take place in:
- schools
- school 6th forms
- 6th form colleges
- other colleges and learning providers, including Foundation Learning
It pays up to £175 per week (if you live in London) for each child to help with the cost of:
- your childcare, including deposit and registration fees
- a childcare taster session for up to 5 days
- keeping your childcare place over the summer holidays
- taking your child to their childcare provider
Childcare payments go directly to your childcare provider and travel payments go direct to your school or college - they’ll either pay you or arrange travel for you.
How to apply