Jewellery Foundation Programme Support Grants Guidelines
Overview
The Goldsmiths’ Centre Support Grants, funded through modern philanthropic giving, via the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, from members of the Goldsmiths’ Company, ensure that finance is not a barrier to taking part in our Jewellery Foundation Programme as part of our commitment to inclusion and social mobility.
The Support Grants are available to all current Jewellery Foundation Programme students, as well as successful applicants who have accepted a place on the course, if they, or if dependent, their household, receives one or more government benefits*, or if their household income is less than £80,000.
The grant will always be conditional on your attendance on the course, which must be 85% or higher, and you must have completed your probation period on the course before you apply.
What can I apply for?
The grant can cover any financial need necessary for your continued participation on the course. This could for example relate to transport costs or additional equipment for your studies.
The amount of grant depends on your circumstances:
Up to £3,700 (incl VAT) grant if your household receives government benefits and financial support, or if you travel outside of Zone 6 to the Goldsmiths’ Centre.
Up to £1,500 (incl VAT) if your household income if £80,000 or lower, and you live within Zone 6 in London.
How to apply
This section details how to apply, and the supporting documents you will need to submit with your application form. Applicants can apply on a rolling basis, please allow at least three weeks for a decision to be reached.
Step 1: Ensure you are eligible for a Support Grant – you must meet one of two categories. You, or your household if a dependent student, will need to be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
*In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not meet these criteria will be considered if supporting evidence can be provided.
Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) / Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Income Support.
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance.
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
The guarantee element of State Pension Credit.
Universal Credit in place of ESA / Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
OR, for a means tested grant, you or your household will need to have an income of £80,000 or lower as evidenced by:
Most recent pay slips for the last 3 months or
Parent/Partner’s/Guardian’s annual tax statements or
HMRC Tax Credit Letter for the most recent year
HMRC Self-Assessment Tax Return for the most recent year
P60 for the most recent year
Universal Credit monthly overview for the most recent 3 months
DWP award notice no more than 3 months old for ESA, JSA or IS
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Letter
Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
For dependent students, this evidence means the income of one of the following people in your main household:
Parent(s)
Step-parent(s)
Guardian(s)
Mother’s partner or fathers partner
If you are an independent, you must meet one of the following conditions:
be married or entered into a civil partnership, evidence of which should be provided before the start of the academic year;
have no living parents;
living in other circumstances deemed to be classed as independent (i.e., in the case of a student under 25 years living in a single parent family where there is no earned income;
have care of a child or children on the first day of the academic year for which you are applying for support (evidence or child’s birth certificate required);
where parents cannot be traced;
permanent estrangement from parents – no contact with parents (usually at least 12 months);
those in care/placed in accommodation after being in care; or
where parents are abroad (in certain circumstances).
Step 2: Download and complete the Support Grant application form.
Make sure the information you provide is valid, correct and clearly written so the application process is not delayed.
You must ensure that you read, tick and sign the declaration – the declaration includes permission for us to talk to the parent(s), carer(s) or guardian(s) about the applicants financial payments. If this is not ticked, we will be unable to discuss the student’s finance.
Gather your evidence – you will need to have proof of your entitlement to one of the benefits or provide evidence of household income listed in Step 1 available to submit. This document can be a photograph taken on your phone, a scan, or an electronic document. It must include the name and address, the date and the benefit you receive. If the evidence relates to government benefits, this must be the first page of your statement.
Now that you have your evidence gathered, you can complete the online application form. This should take you no more than 15 minutes.
You must ensure that you read, tick and sign the declaration – the declaration includes permission for us to talk to the parent(s), carer(s) or guardian(s) about the applicant’s financial payments. If this not ticked, we will be unable to discuss the student’s finance.
Once received, your application will be assessed. Please allow for up to three weeks between submitting your application and being informed whether you have received a Support Grant.
If you would like support to complete your application form, then please email professional.training@goldsmiths-centre.org
Step 3: Upon successful application, you will receive written notification via email awarding you a grant, which will detail the payment process.
Step 4: Evidence of grant expenditure will be required within 4 weeks. This could include train tickets, or expenses related to accommodation for example.