Financial Support for Young Learners in 2011/12

1. Financial Support for Young Learners in 2011/12 The 16 – 19 Bursary Fund & Transitional Arrangements Championing Young People’s Learning

2. 2011/12 Transitional arrangements Successful 2009/10 EMA applicants – receive same weekly rate Successful 2010/11 EMA applicants at £30 - receive £20 Young person must meet terms of Learning Agreement Must be under 19 years old at start of programme

3. 16–19 Bursary Fund - Headlines Two main elements £1,200 for the most vulnerable learners discretionary bursaries Administered by providers

4. 16–19 Bursary Fund - Budget 16-19 Bursary Fund is worth £180m a year In 2011/12 some administered nationally (transitional arrangements) £115m for distribution by schools and colleges in 2011/12 YPLA to retain £7.5m contingency Allocations to be reviewed early 2012 No viring between 16–19 Bursary Fund : Residential Bursary Fund : adult discretionary Learner Support Fund

5. 16–19 Bursary Fund - Allocations 2011/12 allocations methodology - learners on £30 EMA at each provider in 09/10 Majority of allocations made direct to providers Some allocations made via LA Can use up to 5% of allocation towards admin costs

6. 16–19 Bursary Fund – Valid provision Subject to inspection by a public body that assures quality (e.g. Ofsted); and funded by YPLA (directly or via a local authority); or funded or co-financed by the European Social Fund; or otherwise publicly funded and lead to a qualification (up to level 3) accredited by Ofqual or is pursuant to Section 98 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000

7. 16–19 Bursary Fund - Learner Eligibility Young people who have finished compulsory education (can include accelerated learners) Under 19 at the start of a programme of learning Can continue to receive bursary to end of the academic year they turn 19 (or end of that programme of learning) Residency criteria in line with (YPLA) Funding Guidance 2011/12: Funding Regulations

8. 16–19 Bursary Fund - Vulnerable Groups The vulnerable groups are: in care care leavers in receipt of Income Support in receipt of Disability Living Allowance & Employment Support Allowance Bursary of £1,200 a year (minimum) - pro-rata for courses less than 30 weeks

9. Use of Bursaries Targeted at those with financial barriers to participation To pay costs related to participation e.g. meals, transport, books, equipment Can be “in kind” e.g. transport pass, books, equipment NOT for competitive advantage, admin fees, block subsidy of canteens or transport Support for transport does not replace the statutory duty of Local Authorities Details of eligibility and use of Bursary Fund set out in published Guide

10. 16–19 Bursary Fund - Considerations for Providers Providers to identify vulnerable young people – evidence based Providers to assess the need for financial assistance/level of bursary – may choose to assess household income Vulnerable students receive the bursary (minimum £1,200) – they do not get transitional payments as well Non-vulnerable students – can get transitional payments and discretionary bursary if necessary

11. 16–19 Bursary Fund - Governance & Communication Providers should keep records to justify the awards they have made High level MI will be required – annual MI return / ILR Providers in same locality encouraged to adopt shared criteria for awarding bursaries All queries to: 1619bursaryfund@ypla.gov.uk

12. Answers to Top Two Queries Awards of £800 do NOT need to be given to students who have been on Free School Meals. Institutions should exercise their discretion and pay what is right for the most needy students, within the institution’s budget. We will release the £7.5m contingency when the overall picture becomes clearer. Priority will be to help institutions with more students in the vulnerable groups than expected. Early in 2012 we will seek to re-distribute any under-spends.