Calculations of discretionary bursaries allocated to institutions

For most education institutions, the discretionary bursary allocation for the 2019 to 2020 academic year has been calculated on:

• the number of students that received £30 a week Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in the 2009 to 2010 academic year, as a percentage of the 2010 to 2011 funded student numbers

This percentage has been applied to institutions 2019 to 2020 allocated student numbers and multiplied by the 2019 to 2020 discretionary bursary funding rate of £298

For example - if the percentage is 40%, and there are 500 allocated student numbers, this generates an allocation based on 200 students x £298

Where an institution had no EMA students in the 2009 to 2010 academic year or where the provision was new in 2011 to 2012 or later, allocations are based on applying the national EMA average figure to the institution’s 2019 to 2020 allocated student numbers.

The discretionary bursary is paid in two parts:

• two-thirds paid in August 2019

• one-third paid in April 2020 

Institutions should manage the discretionary bursary to keep payments within budget.

More details can be found in our 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guidance.  

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