UCAS removing the application fee for learners in receipt of Free School Meals
'As the rising cost-of-living continues to present challenges to everyone, particularly those suffering financial hardship, I am keen to ensure that at UCAS, we do everything we can to support students in taking their next step.' Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Executive, UCAS
UCAS is removing the undergraduate application fee for any learner who is/or has received FSM during the last six years, up until the end of their final year at school or college. Learners who are not currently enrolled at a school or college, but who are applying through a registered centre and can demonstrate to the centre they have been in receipt of free school meals at some point during the last six years, are eligible to have the application fee waived.
For those applying for 2025 entry and beyond, teachers and advisers can verify eligible learners through the adviser portal, and these learners will then no longer be required to pay the fee on completion of their UCAS application. Eligible learners will need to:
- declare they are in receipt of free school meals in the ‘More about you’ section of the application
- choose to ‘Pay Centre’ when they ‘Pay and Submit’ their application from 3 September 2024
If you would like to support your learner’s declaration to receive the fee waiver, please check your payment options in the Adviser Portal:
- If your school/centre sets the application payment preference to ‘Invoice the school’ no action needs to be taken at this time.
- If your school/centre sets the application fee payment option to ‘All your applicants will pay online by credit or debit card’ settings will need to be changed before 3 September 2024 when pay/submit goes live for the 2025 cycle. Access ‘Centre Management’ in the adviser portal and tick the box to set your application fee payment method to the third option, which is:
- Some applicants will pay online by card, UCAS will provide an invoice for remaining applicants (the invoice is to be paid by your centre). This will ensure that those learners who are eligible, do not need to pay to submit their application and those students who currently pay by card can continue to do so. UCAS will provide an invoice for any remaining non-FSM applicants.
UCAS are currently refining the verification process, which will be a simple tick box in the adviser portal. Supporting documents for 2025 applications will reflect the new initiative and be sent by UCAS before the end of June.
You can find out more information about the brand new initiative here).If you have any questions about the process that we can help with please contact us, for pre 16 and 6th forms contact Charlie Field Davis by clicking here and for FECs please contact Lucy Jenks by clicking here.