APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026/2027 ACADEMIC YEAR ARE NOW OPEN.
Grants from The Rutlish Foundation are not intended to cover everyday living expenses or travel expenses of applicants. They are intended to support students who can demonstrate their need for additional funds to help pay for essential extras including books, software, equipment or travel on visits that will assist applicants in pursuit of their academic study.
The Directors of the Rutlish Foundation have limited funds available for making brants to students aged under 25 years old, who are in full-time higher education. They may exceptionally consider older candidates.
Grants are intended to assist students experiencing financial difficulties taking full-time first degree or comparable courses at universities, or other education establishments.
Research students and those taking further degree courses may also be considered. They are not awarded to students studying for A-levels, BTECs or part-time courses. Applicants must have been born or be ordinarily resident in the Ancient Parish of Merton or have attended Rutlish School or 6 th form of which Rutlish School is part, i.e. RR6, for at least one year.
The Ancient Parish of Merton is about a quarter of the are of the London Borough of Merton and is comprised of at least part of the following wards: Abbey, Merton Park, Cannon Hill, West Barnes, Dundonald and Raynes Park.
Grants are made in accordance with the governing document of the Foundation (the Scheme) and are subject to the following conditions:
- The rules and regulations established by the Charity
- The need for financial aid
- The Directors being informed of any other Scholarship, Grant or Financial Award held by the student
The Directors reserve the right to modify their regulations as the need arises.
Applications for grants from The Rutlish Foundation can be submitted once a year.
The application forms for the 2026/2027 academic year will be available from 15 July 2026 from 09h00.
The application deadline is 30 September 2026 at midnight.
Only applications submitted via the online application form will be accepted. No other form of application will be considered.
Please read our Privacy Policy before submitting your application.
The Rutlish Foundation Directors meet to consider applications during the months of October to December, with additional meetings held in January to April, depending on the number of applications received.
Application forms can be obtained from this website once applications are open, usually in July of the year in which the application will be made.
Guidance on completing your application will also be made available at this time.
In addition to a correctly completed application form, applicants must also submit an official reference or report on their progress, study or work in the immediate past academic year. For example, if an applicant applies for a grant in the 2026/2027 academic year, the report or reference would be for the 2025/2026 academic year completed.
- For those leaving school, this report can come from their Headteacher, Head of Department, 6th Form Tutor or Teacher.
- For those in Higher Education, this report can come from their Tutor, Lecturer, Head of Department or Director of Studies. An official copy of the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) will also be accepted as proof of enrolment and academic progress.
- For those going back to education from work, this report can come from their employer.
The report should cover, where appropriate, the applicant’s ability and attainment warranting the course chosen, information on the applicant’s continued good conduct, educational progress and regular attendance.
Any applicant who fails to provide the required report before the Rutlish School Easter vacation, is unlikely to be awarded a grant.
Applicants having difficulties obtaining a report or reference, should contact the Clerk for advice at the earliest opportunity.
All new applicants will be required to attend a mandatory interview, which will be conducted via Video Call.
Grant awards are made after all mandatory personal interviews have concluded.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in writing by the Clerk.
Applicants are to provide only their own contact details on their application form, this includes email addresses and contact telephone numbers.
Please note, in order to comply with Data Protection and GDPR regulations, no correspondence will be entered into with any third party, parent, or guardian in respect of an application made.