The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund is a UK government scheme that provides financial support to help young people aged 16 to 19 overcome financial barriers and remain in further education or training.
The Bursary does not need to be repaid, and can be used to help with costs such as travel to college and educational resources and equipment. It may also provide support towards educational visits related to your course.
There are two types of Bursary Funds available:
Vulnerable Student Bursary
You may be eligible to receive up to £1200 if you:
Are currently in Local Authority care, or have recently left Local Authority care or;
Receive Income Support or Universal Credit in your own name because you are financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and living with you, such as a child or partner.
Receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in your own name as well as either Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC) in your own name.
Discretionary Bursary
Students whose total household income is below £31,000 may be eligible for support through the Discretionary Bursary Fund.
We may also consider applications from students experiencing financial hardship due to exceptional circumstances.
The level of support awarded will depend on your individual circumstances and the requirements of your course.
How to Apply
Applications should be made directly to Turton Sixth Form College. The College determines eligibility, the level of support awarded and how payments are made. Application Forms must be submitted by 10th September 2026.
Full Policy Guidance and application forms are available on our website.
For further advice, please speak to Mrs Thomas in the Sixth Form Office or Mr Riley.
16-19 Bursary Application Form
16-19 Bursary Policy (Feb 2026)
Our Pass
We encourage all eligible students to apply for Our Pass.
Our Pass provides:
- Free travel on Bee Network buses across Greater Manchester
- Travel available every day of the week
- Access to additional discounts and opportunities for young people
For a one-off fee of £10, the pass can be used from 1 September after your 16th birthday until 31 August after your 18th birthday.
To apply, visit: Homepage - Our Pass
Rail Cards
Students who travel by train may benefit from purchasing a Railcard, which provides discounted rail fares and can result in significant savings throughout the year.
For further information and to apply, visit: National Rail Railcards | National Rail
Free School Meals
Who is eligible?
Students may be eligible for Free School Meals if their parent or carer receives one or more of the following:
Universal Credit
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
The Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
Support under the criteria for families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
Applying for Free School Meals
We are keen to ensure that all eligible students receive the support available to them.
Please note however that eligibility can only be assessed once an online application has been completed. Even if a student has previously received Free School Meals, a new application is still required. It is a simple process and eligibility is confirmed immediately.
Applications should be made online at: Home | LGfL FSM
To ensure support is available from the start of term, applications must be submitted by
1 September 2026.
Students whose applications are approved by this date will have their Free School Meal allowance available from their first day at college.
