The fund is made available by the government through its educational funding body - the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) - to 16 to 19 year olds. It provides assistance to students whose access to, or completion of, education is inhibited by financial constraints or barriers. 

Young people can apply for a Post-16 Bursary if they are aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August the September before they start their course, meet the national residency requirements and at least one of the criteria listed in the policy document.