RIBA Education Fund Guidance notes to applicants

Background and aims The aim of the RIBA Education Fund is to alleviate the financial hardship of architecture students, in order to widen participation in architectural education and in the profession. If youre in hardship or need extra financial support, and meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply to the RIBA Education Fund. Grants can be awarded, for example: For general living and course costs that are not already covered by other forms of financial help; For students who encounter exceptional costs, or unexpected financial hardship during the course of their architectural education because of situations such as illness, bereavement or changes in family circumstances; For specific, one-off costs, such as course-related equipment or study trips. You will need to explain why this is integral to participation in your course and show you have no other means of funding it. Eligibility and selection criteria The RIBA Education Fund is open to students studying an RIBA-validated Part 1 or Part 2 course in architecture in the UK. Applicants should have successfully completed the first year of an RIBA-validated Part 1 course in the UK. The student must have been resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of their first course in architecture. Please also note the additional eligibility criteria: Students studying on courses with RIBA candidate status may also be considered. Students who have already obtained a degree in another subject are only considered on an exceptional basis. A student who is repeating part of the course will normally only be supported if there are medical reasons, or on compassionate grounds because of personal or domestic problems. An exception to the above residency criteria applies to an applicant who has lived in the UK for a substantial part of their life but was not a resident three years prior to the start of their course because of being moved abroad by parents, guardians, or due to spouses employment. Applicants who are resident of the Channel Islands and Isle of Man may also be considered. The Trustees will not normally contribute to course fees on architecture courses at private educational institutions ie those that charge fees in excess of the amount normally covered by Government loans and grants.
66 Portland Place London W1B 1AD UK Tel +44 (0)20 7580 5533 Fax +44 (0)20 7255 1541 info@riba.org www.architecture.com Public Information line 0906 302 0400*
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How are the applications assessed? Students will need to complete the application form (available to download from www.architecture.com/educationfund). Applications are considered by the Trustees of the Education Fund, who assess all applications rigorously and in confidence. The application form addresses your personal financial situation as well as your academic record and promise as a student of architecture. When assessing the applications, the

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Trustees refer to the evidence presented. It is therefore important that the information is complete and accurate. Other sources of financial assistance The level of grants made by the RIBA Education Fund varies, but rarely exceeds 1,000. The funds are very limited, and they cannot substitute assistance provided by Student Finance or grants provided by Universities. Universities have hardship funds available to students, and you should apply to this in the first instance. Please indicate on your application form that you have investigated such sources of assistance, and declare the outcome of your application. How are the funds allocated? The demand from applicants far outstrips the funds available: unfortunately the Trustees cannot support everyone. They will look at your individual circumstances, and prioritise the applications as they consider appropriate. The level of grant varies depending on the individual circumstances and amount of funding available. Grants can vary between 250-1,500. How are payments made? All grant payments are made by cheque, and are either made as one-off payments or in installments over a period of an academic year. Application deadlines Applications are accepted throughout the academic year, and are assessed at fixed points. Therefore the applications should be received no later than 5pm on the following dates: Monday 5 September Monday 17 October Monday 28 November Monday 9 January Monday 20 February Monday 2 April Monday 7 May

The Trustees endeavour to respond within four weeks of the deadlines. Please note that the funds are limited, and grants can only be made for as long as the funding remains. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply early in the academic year, as there will be fewer funds available for applications received towards the end of the academic year. Duration Applicants can only apply once during the academic year. All applicants (successful and unsuccessful) are able to reapply for funding in future academic years if their circumstances require it. General terms and conditions All applications are treated in confidence. The RIBA may contact successful applicants for fundraising and publicity purposes, but we will not pass your details on to a third party. If you have any further questions about the application process, contact Jo Scott in the RIBA Education Department: Joanna.scott@riba.org or 020 7307 6378
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Notes for completion of the application form

Please read these notes carefully, as forms completed incorrectly will be returned for correction, delaying consideration by the Trustees. It is important that you complete every section and do not leave any boxes empty put nil or N/A if appropriate. Please type or write clearly in black ink. The forms are photocopied to the Trustees so they must be clear and legible. General notes: Please ensure the financial information you provide is complete and accurate. You are required to submit your most recent bank statements to verify the information provided. The Trustees will consider the sources and levels of income, and sustainability of that income. This includes consideration to the sources of income available to students, including University Hardship Funds and Student Loans. The Trustees will carefully compare your levels of income and expenditure, including anticipated demands on expenditure. The Trustees are aware that living and course costs vary significantly, in particular depending on where you are studying. Therefore, if you include any costs that are higher than average (particularly for course costs) please clearly explain the specific circumstances for this. Section D: Financial Resources The Trustees normally only allow for rent/mortgage payments for 10 months of the academic year. If you have had to pay rent for a full 12 months but lived elsewhere for the summer please explain this in your personal statement. Only give your proportion of utility bills, TV licence and landline/internet where you share your accommodation. Students are exempt from Council Tax, so please give an explanation if you have entered a sum under this heading. If you include a sum for a field trip, please give details in your personal statement, and indicate whether it is compulsory or optional. Only include travel to/from university, travel for project work and one return journey from your home each term. The Trustees only take account of car or motorbike ownership costs in exceptional circumstances. Please give full details in your personal statement if you think this applies. The Trustees only normally allow for insurance of your possessions. The Trustees do not normally make any allowance for debt repayment or debt interest. If you think they should consider these, please state in your personal statement why you think your circumstances are exceptional. If you have savings in your income declaration but are not able to use these towards your costs, please specify your reasons in the supporting statement. Section E: Parents spouses income If you are under the age of 25, both your parents must provide information relating to their income and sign this part of the form. If they prefer, they can provide this information direct to the RIBA in a sealed envelope. If you are independent of your parents, please explain the circumstances in your personal statement.
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If you are married or co-habiting, regardless of age, your spouse/partner is required to complete and sign this section. Where you are dependent on a single parent, please explain the circumstances in your personal statement. Where parents and/or spouse/partner have above average incomes, it is helpful if you can give an explanation where they are unable to provide you with any financial support.

Section G: Personal Statement Your personal statement should outline, as concisely as possible, why you should be supported by the RIBA Education Fund. Please give any specific information you feel to be important to your case, particularly if your financial hardship has arisen from personal and family circumstances. Tutors reference and endorsement Your tutor, course leader or a member of staff at your student advice centre is also required to sign and confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, all the information you have provided is accurate. Your tutor is also required to submit a reference. This should provide information about you as a student, your progress to date on the course and your potential, and acknowledges support for your application. Student Loans information You must submit a copy of the letter from the student loans company containing information about your loan/grant, as in the example in the appendix. If you have any further questions about the application process, contact Jo Scott in the RIBA Education Department: Joanna.scott@riba.org or 020 7307 6378 Other frequently asked questions Q: Your eligibility criteria states that you support students studying architecture as a second degree on an exceptional basis. What do you find define as an exceptional basis? A: Trustees will consider this on a case to case basis. A typical example might be where a career change has been necessary due to health reasons. The funding available for grants is limited, and do not allow the Trustees to help all the students they would often like to. Therefore funding has to be prioritised to those pursuing architecture as a first degree. Q: I am a part-time student, am I eligible? A: Yes both full-time and part-time students from RIBA-validated schools are eligible to apply for funding. As the assessment is usually based on the level of income and expenditure, you will need to demonstrate that your means are insufficient or that the hardship would be created for your family due to the financial impact of your education. Q: Ive just missed the application deadline, but am in urgent need of funding will you still accept my application? A: The Trustees may be able to assess applications outside of the deadlines, if the situation requires it. Please make this clear on your application form, or contact Jo Scott in the Education Department to discuss your application (contact details above).
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Students are encouraged to apply early in the academic year to help them plan their finances carefully, but we will try to respond to unexpected situations if the students case requires it. Please allow for a maximum of three weeks for the Trustees to assess your application. Q: Where else can I apply for funding? A: For information on loans, grants, trust funds, university bursaries and other avenues to explore visit: The Student Finance website www.directgov.org.uk Career Development Loans www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/cdl Universities and Colleges Admission Service http://www.ucas.com/students/studentfinance National Union of Students (NUS) www.nusonline.co.uk Architects Benevolent Society http://www.absnet.org.uk Universities can provide selective help at their discretion through Access to Learning Fund to students who have serious financial difficulties. Ask at your university Finance Office for more information or visit the Directgov website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigher Education/StudentFinance/Extrahelp Some universities have their own University Hardship Funds to support students in financial difficulties. The finance office at your university will be able to help. Educational Grants Advisory Service: 501-505 Kingsland Road London E8 4AU. T +44 (0)20 7249 6636 www.family-action.org.uk Citizens Advice Bureau: Contact your local branch or see www.adviceguide.org.uk The British Council offers links to bursaries and scholarships connected to individual universities and nationalities of students www.britishcouncil.org.uk The website www.brightknowledge.org provides a range of information to students about education, finance, careers and student life. For other scholarships and bursaries offered by the RIBA visit the Education pages of the RIBA website www.architecture.com/EducationAndCareers The UK Council for International Student Affairs website is a great resource for all EU and international students who are not eligible to the RIBA Education Fund www.ukcisa.org.uk

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Appendix 1 EXAMPLE: Letter from the student loans company containing information about a loan/grant which must be submitted with your application.

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