Applying for a grant
The Kelsick Educational Foundation is an educational charity providing grants to young people, under 25 years of age, who have been resident in the Lakes Parish for four years, or at the discretion of the trustees. They must be living in Ambleside, Rydal, Grasmere, Langdale or in Troutbeck within the LA22 postal area.
The young person may be (or planning to be) at school, in further or higher education or attending other training programmes. The Trustees consider applications very carefully and, as well as assisting individuals in meeting educational costs, make grants to the local schools in the preferred area of benefit.
Please read all of this guidance before completing the application form.
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
Provided an applicant meets the relevant criteria, the Trustees may award a grant, or a series of grants, towards the provision of education, training and targeted tuition.
The three categories we support are:
- Sport
- Performing arts – music, art, theatre, and dance
- Education (Additional tuition, if this is a core subject a letter of support must be provided by the school).
Individuals can receive awards up to a maximum of £200 per category each year.
Applicants can claim the full cost of the activity, but receipts must be provided.
The awards are absolute and no longer based on a percentage of the cost of the activity.
EDUCATIONAL GRANTS
Residentials, trips, placements and Duke of Edinburgh (DOE) excursions
Students can apply for an award for a trip, residential, work placements or overseas work experience, placements or electives or DOE excursion. Evidence must be provided that it is organised by their educational establishment which cannot be one of the three Lakes Parish Schools. Grants will be awarded at 40% of the cost up to a maximum limit of £400 per individual per year.
Further education (16 to 18 Year Olds)
Students aged 16-18 who are required to travel to sixth form college, or to further education college, training placements or apprenticeships are eligible for a travel grant of £125 per year.
Students serving on an apprenticeship, vocational training courses or working trainees can apply for a maximum of £500 towards essential equipment or clothing. This must be approved by the employer or the training institution.
Higher Education
All university students living away from home can apply for an annual subsistence grant of £1000 each year of study. Evidence must be given showing confirmation or continuation of a place on the particular course.
Higher Education students living at home can apply for a grant of £500 per year of study.
Course Books
The full cost of course books can be claimed. Receipts and a copy of the reading list will be required.
Exceptional Awards
Occasionally there may be financial help needed for a child or young person in circumstances which are not listed in the standard Kelsick criteria. Applicants are welcome to come and talk to the Clerk about specific help needed before applying. Each application will be considered on its own merit and will be at the discretion of the trustees. This category includes, but is not limited to, special circumstances, hardship funding, and supporting excellence.
Young people who require specialised equipment for their course, can make an application under the heading of exceptional awards. They must provide evidence of why that item is needed, for example a letter from the course tutor at the educational establishment. The limit is £500.
Children & Young People with Special Needs
Individual grants are given to support the education of children/ young people with special needs when the provision available is unable to fully meet their needs. This is usually on the advice of teaching staff or in response to a specific request from a school or parent. Help can also be given towards specialist equipment, software etc.
Grants may also be given to support young people and students with continuing special needs which are not being fully met in training, college or university.
Sports and local Youth Groups
The Kelsick Educational Foundation also helps fund junior team sports and local youth groups. Any activity which the trustees consider to be of educational benefit can be supported financially. These have included play and toddler groups, youth clubs and uniformed groups, as well as junior football, cricket, ju-jitsu and other sports clubs
Eligibility and applications
To be eligible to apply for a grant from the Kelsick Educational Foundation you must be under 25 years old, and have lived in the Lakes Parish for a minimum of four years.
Applications for grants must comply with the above criteria and must also satisfy the Trustees both as to how the grants will be spent and as to the educational benefit which will be obtained.
Applications may be made by or submitted on behalf of young people by their parents or guardians if the young person is under 18.
Applications will be considered by the Trustees quarterly in February, May, August and November each year. Applications must be received by the 24th of the preceding month.
Applications must be made within six months of any expense being incurred and receipts must be provided.
The decisions taken by the Trustees concerning the success or otherwise of individual applications are confidential and final.
Payments may be suspended or cease once the annual Kelsick grants budget has been reached.
If an activity that is organised by an educational establishment does not take place an award must be returned in full to the Kelsick Educational Foundation.
Exclusions
The Kelsick Educational Foundation is unable to fund the following:
- Student loans.
- Subscriptions and Memberships
- Summer Camps and Clubs.
- Equipment for Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award.
- Exams or Assessments.
- Musical Instruments
- Sports Equipment, clothing and footwear
- Computers – funding is only available in exceptional circumstances
The Trustees would like to hear from young people and from parents who might benefit.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM HERE
Applications must be returned to:
The Clerk
Kelsick Centre
St Mary’s Lane
Ambleside
LA22 9DG
Email applications will only be processed if all of the necessary evidence is attached. These can be sent to the clerk at clerk@kelsick.org.uk