£775
Bursaries for Rising Stars

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Exclusive to hard-pressed Royal Mail and Post Office families
with children undre 18, who have talent in the areas of

• Music
• Drama
• Film and Dance
• Sport

and who would benefit from

• Specialist Coaching
• Training
• Master Class
• Summer School
• Attending an Audition
• Specialist Clothing or Equipment

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See eligibility details below.

The deadline for the applications is 01 January 2099
 

The Rising Stars scheme is generously supported by

Rising Stars Bursaries

Who can apply?

Royal Mail group employees and pensioners who have a child under the age of 18 who has been accepted for a course or equivalent in the subject areas of music (choral and instrumental), drama (including film), dance (both classical and contemporary) and sport (see below). The bursary is available for a young person who will be under the age of 18 as at the date of the course and must also be in secondary education and not employed (other than for not more than 16 hours per week or the maximum allowed by law for a child of that age). See the eligibility criteria for this scheme.

For what can the Bursary be awarded?

The young person must have been accepted for a course (e.g. Summer School, Master Class, Audition etc) and meet all the technical/artistic requirements of the Academy/Institution running the course. There must be tuition costs, purchase of specialist clothing or equipment and/or costs of travel to the course which would otherwise pose financial difficulties for the family. The Trustees will take into account the financial circumstances of the family.

The bursary is not available for existing and regular classes which the child may be attending either at school or with a qualified teacher or specialist school.

If in doubt as to the eligibility of the course please contact us by email at poobi.secretary@royalmail.com. Bursaries cannot be awarded retrospectively nor can the Trustees accept applications for courses which have already taken place.

Sporting category:

The POOBi bursary scheme excludes those who have training contracts with a professional or semi professional club or other organisation and evidence of potential and/or competence will have to be provided either by a school teacher and/or someone who holds a recognised coaching qualification issued by the relevant regulatory body for that sport. An award cannot be made for regular coaching or skills training only specialist training/coaching, a summer school or equivalent. Trustees can make an award for a contribution towards the cost of specialist equipment, or clothing subject to documentary evidence being provided.

How much is the bursary?

This Bursary, worth £775 is awarded by the Trustees and is tenable towards the costs of tuition and/or travel to the summer course or equivalent or for specialist equipment (including clothing and/or instruments) Evidence of costs will be required. All payments will be made to the Applicant.

When do I have to apply?

The application form can be received by the Trustees at any time.

The application form must be completed by the applicant parent and all sections of the form must be completed. The Individual Statement to be completed by the student is most important and the Trustees will place considerable weight on this when making their decision. It is important that the student uses her or his own words for this statement.

The institution or academy running the course must be one that is recognised by the Trustees as being of appropriate quality and standing in its field.

The bursary is available for a young person who will be under the age of 18 as at the date of the course and must also be in secondary education and not employed full time.

The Trustees will require evidence of attendance and achievement.

Rising Stars Eligibility

1. The Applicant must be an employee or pensioner of Royal Mail or Post Office Ltd. (The pensioner must be currently in receipt of a retirement or medical retirement pension, or be a former employee whose employment was ceased on medical severance terms not more than two years prior to the date of application and who is unemployed and in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, PIP or equivalent state benefit).
2. The Applicant must have parental (or substantial financial and emotional) responsibility for the young person for whom the bursary/grant is sought (but does not have to be a parent with residence). The award is made to the applicant, not the young person or student.
3. Multiple and maximum number of applications. Applications from previous awardees of four or more consecutive Rising Stars grants cannot be considered.
4. The young person for whom the bursary/grant is sought must be under the age of 18 as of the closing date for applications.. If the applicant is not the parent with residence, then the consent of the person with whom the child resides (or has a residence order) must be obtained before the application is made. The young person must be dependant on the parent(s) and must be in full time primary or secondary education or further education and not be in full time employment (paid or not). If in part time employment, then this must not exceed 16 hours per week.
5. The applicant parent or person with parental responsibility must complete and submit the POOBI application form online.
6. Only valid applications will be considered by the Trustees who also shall have discretion in requesting such further information they think necessary to arrive at a balanced and informed decision. The Trustees may exercise their discretion in allowing further time to submit an application.
7. The Trustees have discretion in deciding the amount of the bursary/grant within the overall monetary level advertised for the scheme.
8. The Trustees decision shall be final in all cases – there is no right of appeal.
9. The Trustees shall announce their decision by writing to the applicant.
10. The bursary/grant is a charitable gift of the Trustees of POOBI it does not arise from any entitlement or contract of employment or pension, or by reason of any regular or other support given by POOBI.
11. The Trustees reserve the right to make payment by any such methods as they deem suitable: it may be paid to the applicant parent or to the academy or institution direct. It may be paid in instalments.
12. The POOBI Trustees aim to notify all applicantsof the status of their application within 2 months of receipt.