Resuming Grant Applications
Since the online grant portal was opened yesterday evening, we have received 79 grant applications. Out of this number 30 have been rejected and refunded. This is nearly 40% of all applications.
The most common errors are listed below:
Referees
Referees - please refer to the guidance notes, which clearly outline the referee criteria. Whilst I appreciate that your mum knows you best, she cannot act as your referee.
Photographs
The guidance notes outline the criteria for what is acceptable.
Photographs must be of a professional standard, against a plain cream or grey background and without other objects or people in the background and (if printed) must be on good quality gloss or matt paper. In your photograph you must be looking straight at the camera, have a neutral expression, with your eyes open and mouth closed. You must not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses, and the photographs must not have any ‘red eye.’
I have enjoyed seeing some of your family and holiday photographs but unfortunately we can’t accept them.
GP Forms
GP form not completed by the GP – please do not upload a statutory GP form that has not been completed by your GP.
GP form incomplete. It is your responsibility to ensure that your GP has completed the statutory form correctly.
We will not accept non statutory GP forms from private medical companies. You are paying for this service so you need to ensure that the correct statutory form is completed.
A copy of your medical notes will not be accepted.
Foreign National Background Checks
If you are a UK national and have been resident outside of the UK for a significant period (more than six consecutive months) a background check (criminal records check or equivalent) in the relevant country or countries should be completed. If not provided in English, an official translation should be obtained at your expense
If you are a foreign national, a background check (criminal records check or equivalent) should be completed in your home country. You will be required to provide a background check (such as a police certificate or equivalent) from your country of nationality and any other country where you have lived. This will be at your expense, including an official translation into English.
We are not discriminating against you - the above is a statutory requirement.
Please read the guidance notes. Your application will be processed far quicker if we receive it fully completed.
Many thanks, Zoey.
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