Individuals who live within the boundaries of the former County of Lanark can apply for the following types of assistance.

Travel scholarships (Category 21)

Guidelines

Financial aid to persons belonging to the County to travel beyond Scotland to university, college or educational institution while undergoing a course of study or to contribute towards any fees that may be charged:

• Individual applicant - maximum award £750.
• Scholarship only available to matriculated students (evidence is required).
• Grant to cover the cost of fees, books or instruments (evidence is required).

You will be asked to provide evidence of matriculation and costs incurred.

Grant can only be claimed for 3 years total within a 20 year period (maximum award of 3 times).  

Travel grants (Category 22)

Guidelines

A grant to anyone belonging to the County, selected for an opportunity due to exceptional skill/talent, enabling them to travel either in Great Britain or abroad for educational purposes. 

• Individual applicant - maximum award £750.

     Application must include:

• Details of the educational purpose of the application.
• Details of exceptional skill/talent which resulted in selection for this opportunity.
• Evidence of the journey undertaken (proof of costs incurred).
• Evidence of why free travel for under 22s does not apply to you.

• Not considered suitable: multiple journeys (basically a claim for travelling expenses).

Grant can only be claimed for a total of three years within a 20-year period (maximum award of 3 times).

Research scholarships (Category 23)

Guidelines

Award scholarships for research work or special study to inhabitants of the County who graduated from a Scottish University, and who require financial aid in order to undertake such research:

• Individual applicant - maximum award £750.
• Scholarship is only available to postgraduate students undertaking a research-based degree, for example Masters or PhD (evidence is required).

Grant can only be claimed for a total of three years within a 20-year period (maximum award of 3 times).

Achievement in sport (Category 26)

Guidelines

Financial aid for the development of talented amateur sports persons. (e.g. National recognition, with evidence to support claim):

• Individual applicant - maximum award £750.
• Evidence of cost incurred.

Grant can only be claimed for a total of three years within a 20-year period (maximum award of 3 times).

Promoting education in the visual arts, music and drama (Category 29)

Guidelines

Financial assistance to individuals showing exceptional promise in the above areas, enabling them to obtain special tuition.

• Individual applicant - maximum award £750.
• Applicant must demonstrate exceptional talent in visual arts, music or drama (and have evidence to support the claim, for example, recognition by a national body).
• Evidence of cost incurred.

Grant can only be claimed for a total of three years within a 20-year period (maximum award of 3 times).

Exceptional Circumstances (Category 30)

Guidelines

The Trust may consider applications from individuals not strictly meeting the criteria outlined in any of the other categories in exceptional circumstances where:

• A protected characteristic (under the Equalities Act) requires an alternative route for an individual's educational aspirations or attainment – Protected Characteristics (publishing.service.gov.uk  (an individual showing promise or skill in an area of education, sport or art but for example a disability or language barrier means that they need to take an alternative route to progress).
• Financial hardship is a barrier to an individual further developing or pursuing an emerging talent, skill or aptitude to the point that they can take advantage of further educational opportunities (i.e. a young person showing promise in a musical instrument or sport but unable to purchase equipment or lessons to practice and progress).
• A person has been subject to life-altering circumstances which may impact on ability to progress equitably. 

Where a request for support is linked to financial hardship awards may be subject to some means testing you must provide details of your income or your household’s income and for example if parents and guardians receive any of the following benefits:

• Free school meals or school clothing grant
• Housing benefit or council tax reduction
• Income support
• Income-based job seeker's allowance
• Any income-related element of employment and support allowance
• Child tax credit or working tax credit
• Universal credit
• Pension credit guaranteed credit
• Support under Part VI of the immigration and asylum act 1999
• Evidence of cost incurred
• Individual applicant - maximum award £750.

Grant can only be claimed for a total of three years within a 20-year period (maximum award of 3 times).

Making an application

Individuals may make one application each year. After that applicants are eligible to apply for funding for the same purpose or course of study for a further two consecutive years. 

Completing the application form

You must complete every part of the form. All forms of evidence such as official confirmation of participation in a course or event, costs of the course or travel must be included, otherwise the processing of your application will be delayed.

All applicants must complete and return a bank mandate form with details of where an award is to be paid if it is successful.

Send your application form and accompanying documents to lanarkshiredtrust@northlan.gov.uk

Finding out about the outcome of an application

While receipt of your application can be acknowledged it should be understood that no judgment as to the suitability or likelihood of an award can be made on an individual basis. Instead, all applications will be collated and presented to the Educational Trust Committee (which comprises six councillors, three each from North and South Lanarkshire) which usually convenes in October and March of each financial year. Applicants, successful or otherwise, will be informed of the Committee’s decisions shortly after each meeting.

Only in the most exceptional of circumstances will applications be considered outwith these two planned meetings.

While the Trust and its terms are applicable to inhabitants of the former County of Lanark it is administered by North Lanarkshire Council.