LifeBridge ASEND may be able to support with the cost of studying at college for those learners who need it most.
Free Meals
The Department for Education provides funding for the provision of free meals for learners who qualify for assistance. The meal is provided for the days where a learner attends college over a lunchtime period or is on an external work placement.
To be eligible for free meals, learners must:
Additionally, either the learner (in their own right) or their parents/carers must be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
Further guidance on eligibility is available in the ESFA guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-meals-in-further-education-funded-institutions-guide-2022-to-2023-academic-year/free-meals-in-further-education-funded-institutions#verification-of-student-eligibility
Discretionary Bursary
The 16-19 Student Financial Support (Discretionary Bursary) Fund is provided by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to help learners’ overcome specific barriers to participation and to enable them to remain in education. Learners can apply for a discretionary bursary for financial support towards the following:
To be eligible for a discretionary bursary, learners must:
Further guidance on eligibility is available in the ESFA guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund/what-youll-get
Application Process
Funding for Learner Financial Support is received directly by LifeBridge ASEND from the ESFA, is managed by the college and are allocated on an individual need basis. To apply, families need to complete the relevant application form below, and return to LifeBridge ASEND along with supporting documentation.
As funds are limited and cannot be guaranteed, applications for free meals are required to be submitted by the end of September for each academic year, and applications for the discretionary bursary will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. LifeBridge ASEND will retain a small amount of bursary funds to cover any mid-year hardship support applications.
Each application, with supporting documentation, will be assessed in strictest confidence. All allocations will be subject to review and approval by the LifeBridge ASEND Senior Leadership Team. Applicants will be notified of their application outcome in writing within 20 working days of submitting the application. Any award made will be for the academic year in which the application was made only. Support in future years may change.
Further information can be found in our policy documentation under the About Us section of our website
Free Meals
The Department for Education provides funding for the provision of free meals for learners who qualify for assistance. The meal is provided for the days where a learner attends college over a lunchtime period or is on an external work placement.
To be eligible for free meals, learners must:
- Be enrolled on a funded further education programme, have a right to study
- Be aged 19+ with an Education, health and Care (EHC) plan
Additionally, either the learner (in their own right) or their parents/carers must be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC)
- Working Tax Credit run-on: paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Further guidance on eligibility is available in the ESFA guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-meals-in-further-education-funded-institutions-guide-2022-to-2023-academic-year/free-meals-in-further-education-funded-institutions#verification-of-student-eligibility
Discretionary Bursary
The 16-19 Student Financial Support (Discretionary Bursary) Fund is provided by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to help learners’ overcome specific barriers to participation and to enable them to remain in education. Learners can apply for a discretionary bursary for financial support towards the following:
- Travel
- Books and equipment
- Specialist clothing
- Educational trips/ residentials
- Discretionary hardship support
- Childcare support
To be eligible for a discretionary bursary, learners must:
- Be enrolled on a funded further education programme, have a right to study
- Be aged 19+ with an Education, health and Care (EHC) plan
- and have a household income of £25,000 or less
Further guidance on eligibility is available in the ESFA guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund/what-youll-get
Application Process
Funding for Learner Financial Support is received directly by LifeBridge ASEND from the ESFA, is managed by the college and are allocated on an individual need basis. To apply, families need to complete the relevant application form below, and return to LifeBridge ASEND along with supporting documentation.
As funds are limited and cannot be guaranteed, applications for free meals are required to be submitted by the end of September for each academic year, and applications for the discretionary bursary will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. LifeBridge ASEND will retain a small amount of bursary funds to cover any mid-year hardship support applications.
Each application, with supporting documentation, will be assessed in strictest confidence. All allocations will be subject to review and approval by the LifeBridge ASEND Senior Leadership Team. Applicants will be notified of their application outcome in writing within 20 working days of submitting the application. Any award made will be for the academic year in which the application was made only. Support in future years may change.
Further information can be found in our policy documentation under the About Us section of our website
| free_meals_application_form_24-25__1_.pdf |
| bursary_application_form_24-25.pdf |
Appeals Process
Any learner applicant or parent/carer of an unsuccessful applicant wishing to appeal against the refusal of a bursary must do so in writing to the Principal of the College within 10 working days, stating the reasons why. The Principal of the College will review the application within 15 working days of receiving the appeal. The decision of the College Principal is final and will be given in writing within 10 working days of their decision.
