Student Support and College Bursary

Student Support

At Dixons Sixth Form Academy we have a range of support for students to help them during their learning and development.

Free College Meals

Free meals will automatically also be awarded if the student or parent/guardian are in receipt of any of the following;

• 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 guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income no more than £16,190 as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (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 £7,400pa

Free meals will be paid at £5.50 per day as credit on your Mill Café payment system.

Post 16 Bursary

What is the 16-19 Bursary Fund?

As you may already know the Government has given colleges a Bursary Fund. This fund is to be shared amongst the scholars who meet certain requirements set by the individual school or academy and will be allocated on a needs basis. The fund is available for 16-19 year olds to provide support with the costs of full-time education.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility for discretionary bursaries is based on annual household incomes and is divided into three bands. To be considered eligible for the bursary payments at DSFA, the total household income (employment and government assistance income included) must be below £30,000. ​​​​​​​

What does the bursary cover?

• Support with bus travel to and from college only
• Claiming back the cost of essential stationery equipment
• Cost of the compulsory Year 1 trip
• Travel to Open day visits (two maximum)
• Contribution towards an additional trip and support towards the cost of purchasing additional educational items such as textbooks, revision guides, phone data (inclusive £200 to cover all).
• Food – £5.50 food credit will be put on your account for the Mill Café to spend on any items daily
• The cost of the Big Meal Events is covered
• Support with cost of Duke of Edinburgh excursions
• UCAS fee
• GMAT/UKCAT test fees
• You are entitled to a free locker

Vulnerable Bursary

To apply for a vulnerable bursary which entitles that student up to £1200 you must fall into one or more of the categories below. If any of this applies to you then complete the same bursary application and answer question 15 also. Evidence of the below must be provided.

• You are in care
• You are a care leaver
• You are receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in your own right (not in parents name)
• Someone is financially dependant on you or you are financially supporting yourself.
• You are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independent Payments or Employment and support allowance in your own right.​​​​​​​

Further Information for Students

Student Dress Code

The dress code can be accessed here: Student Dress Code

Calculators

Our calculator policy can be found here: Calculator Policy