The Gray’s Inn Education Committee Hardship Fund supports students and pupil barristers who are experiencing short-term financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances, which could jeopardise their completion of the Bar Course or Pupillage.
Before you request an application from the Education Department, we advise you to read the following FAQs to ensure you are eligible to apply. The Education Committee Hardship Fund is not a long-term solution to a shortfall in funding or income.
- FAQs
FAQs
Who is eligible?
Gray’s Inn members who are current Bar Course students, either full or part-time, and pupils. All other members are ineligible.
What is considered short-term, unforeseen circumstances?
Unforeseen circumstances refer to events or situations that were not predicted, are uncontrollable and have directly led to a shortfall in funding which could jeopardise you completion of the Bar Course or pupillage. This is normally an event or sudden change in circumstances, which has led to a shortfall in your course funding or, in the case of pupillage, income.
How much can I apply for?
We require a detailed and honest assessment of how much you are applying for, based on your own individual needs and this should be the amount you need to remedy the short-term financial hardship you are experiencing. This will vary from person to person, and each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, not on the amount submitted for consideration.
It is important you provide accurate financial data. This includes a thorough breakdown of what you are asking for and why, and an accurate summary of all income and expenditure.
What happens when I submit my application?
Once you have submitted your application, your form will go through a first-stage review. A member of the panel will review your application and assess if your application meets the criteria to be put through to the full panel.
At this stage, we may contact you with further questions or documentation to support your application. If this is the case, and all evidence has been provided, your application will then be reviewed and put forward to the panel.
A panel of three barrister members of the Hardship Group will then meet in a meeting chaired by the Master of Education.
If your application is successful or unsuccessful, you will be informed by email.
How long does the process take from when I submit my application?
We aim to provide an answer to all applicants within 2-3 weeks of your application being submitted. However, this may take longer if the application requires further supporting documents. Additionally, there may be circumstances where a secondary meeting may need to be held for an application. In these cases, the process may take longer.
What financial information do you require?
In the form, you will be asked to provide a full financial summary of income, assets and expenditure. We ask this to be accurate, honest and up to date. Include all savings, mortgage, debts, loans, and all/any salaries or benefits.
This is important for our panel to review the current financial circumstance you are in, to understand better why the amount you are applying for is needed.
Do you do a credit check?
No, we do not do a credit check or use any credit reference agencies.
If I am successful, do I need to pay the funds back?
No, you do not need to pay back the money back, if you are successful. The Hardship Fund is intended to assist our members with short-term, unforeseen financial hardship where they have explored all other options.
We do ask, if you can do so in the future, that you would consider donating to the Inn’s Scholarships Trust for future students and pupils of the Inn so we can continue supporting our members in financial hardship. We would only ask you consider this when you are in the financial position to do so.
What do I need to include in my application and how will it be assessed?
Applicants are to provide a very clear description of the unforeseen circumstances which have led to the application, the precise amount requested, and how the funding would be used.
We ask for you to outline why this is short-term, and demonstrate a clear plan moving forward, should you be successful, in how this will aid you to getting back on track. The Education Committee Hardship Group fully understand the emotional impact of debt and the individual’s ability to perform academically or professionally as a result – However, applicants are requested to focus only on the reasons for hardship and how the requested funds will enable completion of the Bar Course or Pupillage.
To inform their decision, the members of the Education Committee Hardship Group will also require a current curriculum vitae and detailed financial information relating to income, expenditure and assets. In making their decision, the Education Committee Hardship Group will amongst other factors consider:
- The applicant’s ability to leverage funds held in savings, investments and equity held in property.
- The likelihood that financial assistance provided by the Education Committee Hardship Fund will enable the applicant to successfully complete their current stage of Bar training or Pupillage.
- The applicant’s eligibility to qualify for funding from other sources.
- That all other sources of funding have been considered and that the Gray’s Inn Education Hardship Fund is the source of funding ‘of last resort’.
What does a source of funding of last resort mean?
The panel will expect you to have considered all available options to manage your financial circumstances. For student this will include:
- The discussion of payment plans with your Bar Course provider
- Employment
- Loans or re-mortgage
- Financial support from relatives
For Pupils this will mean:
- Approaching chambers to discuss a loan or other support
- Application to the Bar Benevolent Association (can possibly assist once the pupil has held a paid brief)
- Loans or re-mortgage
- Financial support from relatives
- Additional resources
Additional resources
The Inn has some further resources which could be helpful to you depending on your circumstances. We are committed to supporting all our members and ensuring you are aware of all support offered.
You can access the Inn’s services, and also explore further support on our website: Support and Wellbeing at the Bar – graysinn.org.uk
Before you proceed, we recommend you consult the flow chart below. This will provide you with further guidance as to whether the Hardship Fund is the best route for you.
Applicants should request an application, or to discuss their circumstances further by contacting Member Services.
- See if you are eligible for the Fund