How Can I Fund Extra Help for My Dyslexic Teen?

If your teenager is starting college or sixth form, you might be worried about the extra costs of dyslexia support. Specialist software, diagnostic assessments, and private tutoring can quickly add up.

Fortunately, the UK government provides specific funding to help college-aged students. The two main sources of support are the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund and the 16 to 19 Tuition Fund. These funds can help pay for essential learning tools, travel, and targeted, small-group academic support.

Your child does not need a formal, private diagnosis to access many of these resources. Colleges have a duty to support students who struggle with reading and writing. This guide explains exactly how these funds work and how you can apply for them tomorrow morning.

The Hidden Costs of Post-16 Dyslexia Support

When a student turns 16, their learning environment changes. College and sixth form require more independent study, heavier reading loads, and complex writing tasks. For a dyslexic teenager, this transition can be overwhelming.

Sometimes, this sudden pressure can even affect their mental health and attendance. If you are noticing this at home, you might find our guide on supporting a dyslexic teenager struggling with school attendance helpful.

To keep up, your teen might need:

• Specialist assistive software (like text-to-speech or mind-mapping tools).
• Printed materials on coloured paper or specific stationery.
• A laptop or tablet for classroom use.
• Travel assistance to get to a college that offers specialist SEND provision.

These expenses add up quickly. This is where the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund can help.

What is the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund and Who Qualifies?

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund is money given by the government directly to schools, colleges, and training providers. According to the official 16 to 19 Bursary Fund: provider guide, this money is designed to help students who face genuine financial barriers to staying in education.

There are two types of bursaries:

1. Vulnerable Student Bursary

This is a bursary of up to £1,200 per year. It is reserved for young people in specific circumstances, such as those in local authority care, care leavers, or those receiving certain disability benefits in their own right.

2. Discretionary Bursary

This is the fund most families apply for. Colleges set their own criteria for who receives this money. They usually look at your household income and your child's specific educational needs.

If your household income falls below a certain threshold (often around £20,000 to £30,000, though this varies by college), your teen may qualify. You can ask the college to use this fund to cover the cost of:

• A laptop or tablet with accessibility settings.
• Specialist dyslexia software licences.
• Travel costs to and from college.
• Books and study materials.

To apply, you will need to provide proof of household income, such as benefit letters or payslips, directly to the college support team.

How the 16 to 19 Tuition Fund Can Secure Small-Group Help

In addition to the bursary, your child may benefit from the 16 to 19 Tuition Fund. This fund was introduced to help students catch up on lost learning.

According to the government's 16 to 19 tuition fund: evaluation reports, this funding is allocated to colleges to provide small-group or one-to-one tuition. It is specifically targeted at students who:

• Did not achieve a grade 4 or above in GCSE English or Maths.
• Have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including dyslexia, and require extra support to pass their courses.

This tuition must be delivered in small groups (usually no more than five students, though it can occasionally be up to seven). It is designed to support their main study programme.

If your teenager is struggling with the heavy reading requirements of their college courses, this small-group tuition can be used to focus on literacy, reading comprehension, and study skills.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply Through Your Child's College

You do not apply to the government directly for these funds. Everything is managed by your child's college. Here is how you can start the process:

Step 1: Find the right contact

Look on the college website for the "Student Support," "Student Welfare," or "Special Educational Needs (SEN)" team. You can also search the website for "16 to 19 Bursary application."

Step 2: Gather your evidence

Collect documents showing your household income. If your child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, or a previous dyslexia assessment report from high school, gather those too.

Remember, if you do not have a formal diagnosis, you can still ask the college's learning support team for an internal assessment. If you want to understand more about how local authorities publish their support services, read our post on how to use your local authority's 'local offer' for dyslexia support.

Step 3: Write a simple email

Send a short, clear email to the student support team. You can use this simple template:

"Dear Student Support Team,

My child [Name] is starting [Course Name] this term. They have dyslexia / struggle significantly with literacy and require extra support.

I would like to apply for the 16 to 19 Discretionary Bursary to help cover the cost of [e.g., a laptop / specialist software / travel].

I would also like to ask if they qualify for small-group literacy support under the 16 to 19 Tuition Fund.

Could you please send me the application forms and let me know what financial evidence you require?

Kind regards,

[Your Name]"

Step 4: Follow up

Colleges receive a limited amount of funding each year. They allocate it on a first-come, first-served basis. It is best to apply as early in the term as possible.

Simple Tools to Use at Home

While you are waiting for college funding to be approved, there are low-cost tools you can use at home to build your teen's confidence.

Our app, Lexy, is built specifically to support reading fluency and confidence through structured, multisensory practice. It is designed to be gentle, clear, and easy to use on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. While Lexy is not a replacement for specialist college tutoring, it is a practical tool to help your teen practice independent reading skills at their own pace. You can learn more about how it works and view our pricing plans, which include a free tier.

Supporting a teenager through college can feel daunting, but you do not have to do it alone. By taking these practical steps with the college welfare team, you can secure the financial and academic support your child deserves.