Hardship Fund
What is the Hardship Fund?
The Hardship Fund is a discretionary source of financial help available to all registered full time school students. The aim of the Fund is to help students who have difficulties in paying for school trips, visits and group residentials (up to 100% of the cost); uniform, shoes or sports kit; music lessons; summer school, school equipment; revision books and other resources.
Payments from the Fund are discretionary and if awarded do not need to be repaid.
The School will consider requests for hardship funding from the following groups of students:
- Students in receipt of free school meals;
- Students in families with very low incomes;
- Students where families are facing extreme hardship.
Your child/ren may be eligible for grants from our hardship fund if:
- A household income of below £25,000;
- A student whose parents are currently claiming other means-tested benefits including Income Support, Working Tax Credit/ Child Tax Credit, Income Based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), who is not entitled to free school meals;
- At the discretion of the Headteacher, any student who does not fall under the categories listed above but consider themselves to be in financial hardship.
Please note that proof of benefit is required if not already registered for Free School Meals or eligible for Pupil Premium. Proof of benefit must have been issued within the last six months.
An application should be made through the Headteacher by completing the Hardship Fund application form. The application will remain confidential and will be considered by the Headteacher given their knowledge of the student’s circumstances. If approved by the Headteacher the application will be passed to the Finance Office for processing.
A student may only apply for hardship support at any time during the academic year. It may also be possible to apply more than once, but usually only where circumstances have not changed. Students cannot appeal a decision not to award a hardship grant as the Headteacher’s decision is final.
How to apply to the Hardship Fund
1. Complete the Hardship Fund application form. The application will remain confidential and will be considered by the Headteacher given their knowledge of the student’s circumstances. If approved by the Headteacher the application will be passed to the Finance Office for processing.
2. Submit the Hardship Fund to the school reception or by email: Lslight@saintedmunds.org.uk or hand into the school reception.
3. Provide a covering letter for the attention of: Mr S Graham, Headteacher, St Edmund’s Catholic School or by email: Lslight@saintedmunds.org.uk
You may wish to include the following information in your covering letter: Why you are experiencing financial difficulties. If your living costs are affected by a disability of health condition. Reason why you are seeking support and full details of the cost and item you are requesting financial support for.
You will be notified of the outcome of the application.
