Forces Children Scotland — School Children's Fund

What the School Children's Fund gives you

You get a needs-based grant to cover the cost of school and out-of-school activities for a child aged 5 to 18. The charity does not publish a fixed amount and decides each grant case by case to fit your situation. A grant typically covers around 10 weeks of activities and can also help pay for residential trips. Forces Children Scotland, a Scottish charity for children of British Armed Forces families, runs the fund. It pays for real things a child needs, for example:

• School uniform, school shoes and hoodies
• Sports kit, such as football boots or running shoes
• Musical instruments and music lessons
• Dance classes, creative writing or art courses
• School trips, museum and gallery visits, and other out-of-school activities
• Travel costs for activities and competitions

The grant does not cover debts, household bills, or private school and tuition fees.

Who can apply

• Age and school: The child is aged 5 to 18 and goes to a primary or secondary school.
• Forces family: Your family serves in, or has served in, the British Armed Forces. This includes Regular Forces, Reservists and Veterans across all services.
• Where you live: You are a Scottish serving or veteran family living anywhere in the UK, or a non-Scottish serving or veteran family currently living in Scotland.
• Financial need: You cannot easily cover these costs yourself. The grant is based on need.

How to apply

You apply by email to the charity's family support team. There is no fixed deadline, so you can get in touch at any time. The charity looks at each case individually.

How realistic are your chances?

This fund is narrow: it is only for school-age children of British Armed Forces families with a Scottish link, so the eligible group is small. If your family clearly fits and you can show the need, your prospects are good. Grants are made case by case rather than in a single competitive round.