THE DEADLINE for applications to a bursary fund for young people in Dorset worth up to £1,000 has been extended.

Managed by the charity, Dorset Community Foundation, based on St Peter's Road in Bournemouth, the DCF Bursary Scheme is aimed at anyone aged 16 to 21 who wants to pursue vocational training.

Young Dorset residents, who attend or plan to attend Bournemouth and Poole College, Kingston Maurward, Brockenhurst or Weymouth College now have until Monday, September 21 to apply.

Tracy Melling, chief executive of Dorset Community Foundation, said: "The bursaries can only be used to support educational or training needs, examples include the full cost or a contribution towards fees for equipment, special clothing, travel costs for a specific course or activity, IT hardware and software.

"A similar scheme which specifically supports young people aged between 16-21 in STEM education is also open for applications."

The Superior STEM Bursary Fund provides grants of up to £1,500 to young people who attend, or plan on attending Bournemouth and Poole or Brockenhurst College on a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) course.

Examples of things which the bursary will support include fees for equipment, course fees depending on the age of the applicant or special clothing.

The fund will only support students from a particular area in Dorset covering Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne and the surrounding area, of which more specific details can be found on the charity's website.

Both schemes focus on supporting particularly disadvantaged young people and applicants will be required to evidence financial need. Applications to the Superior STEM Bursary Fund will be assessed on a rolling basis.

For more information, go to Dorsetcommunityfoundation.org