16 to 19 funding: Care to Learn (C2L) and 16 to 19 Bursary Fund for defined vulnerable groups (VB) funding claim

From academic year 2025 to 2026, we've changed the delivery model for this funding. There is no longer an external Student Bursary Support Service (SBSS) contractor to process applications and make payments.

There are 3 separate claim windows for academic year 2025 to 2026 as follows:

Autumn 2025 - The first funding claim window is now closed. It was open from 8 September 2025 to 12 November 2025. Payments will be made in February 2026 (March 2026 for academies) after we have completed all checks, validations and quality assurance processes.
Winter (January 2026) - The second funding claim window - this form - is open from 5 January 2026 and closes on 11 February 2026. You can submit new funding claims in this period. You will not be able to adjust any claims you have already submitted unless we have agreed you can resubmit it. We will pay you in April 2026 (May 2026 for academies) after we have completed all checks and quality assurance processes.
End of year reconciliation (EoYR) for academic year 2025 to 2026 - The third and final window will open on 18 May 2026 and closes on 1 July 2026. All institutions submitting claims for C2L must submit data for end of year reconciliation. You may also submit any late new funding claims for both schemes if you need to. We will action any recovery of funds and make any final additional payments in September 2026 (October 2026 for academies).

Complete the following digital forms, as appropriate, to claim for 16 to 19 funding:

Care to Learn (C2L). Read the C2L conditions of grant (opens in a new tab) if needed.
16 to 19 Bursary Fund for defined vulnerable groups (VB). Read the VB guidance (opens in a new tab) if needed.

Also read guidance on submitting digital claim forms (opens in a new tab) for help when submitting.

The deadline for both claim form submissions for the second winter (January 2026) window is on or before 5pm Wednesday 11 February 2026.

DfE Sign-in

You need to have an account with the DfE Sign-in service to access the form. If you have not used DfE Sign-in before you will need to create an account (opens in new tab) and link this to your organisational setting.

If you have questions

Go to the Customer Help Portal (opens in new tab).