Funding Information

Who are the grants for?
The DFE grants are intended for young dancers aged 11 to 16 (on first application by the 1st September) with exceptional potential and dedication, and who do not have the financial means to access the best available training. The grants are available up to age 18/19 subject to suitable progress being made. In making such grants available to individual students, the needs of the individual child are put first. These are spelled out in individual training plans which need to be agreed by students, parents, teachers and providers.

Will my child have to take a test/audition?
Your child will have to meet the centre’s selection criteria. There is usually an audition and an interview. The Centre for Advanced Training will look for a child with exceptional potential and there will be competition for the limited number of places.

What about where I live?
Your child must have been living in the British Islands for at least three years before taking up one of the new grants. Special rules apply if your child has been temporarily abroad or is the child of a worker from certain other European countries.

How much will the grant be?
The grants will be means-tested. The full amount will be £3,577 a year from September 2011. You will not have to make any contribution if your total family income before tax is £29,340 or less (after deducting £1,865 for each dependent child in the family, including the grant holder) in the tax year ended 5 April 2011. If your family income is more you will receive a smaller grant and you will have to make a contribution as shown below (depending on the total cost of the training):

Relevant income              Amount of grant       Amount of contribution

 up to £29,340                        £3,577                                nil
£29,341 to £33,252               £3,219                              £358
£33, 253 to £37,164              £2,861                              £716
£37, 165 to £41,077              £2,504                           £1,073
£41,078 to £44,989               £2,146                          £1,431
£44,990 to £48,901               £1,788                           £1,789
£48,902 to £52,814               £1,431                           £2,146
£52,815 to £56,726               £1,073                           £2,504
 £56,727 to £60,638                 £715                           £2,862
£60,639 to £64,548                  £358                           £3,219
over £64,548                            nil                                £3,577

In some cases CATs may be able to direct you toward alternative funding sources for help with parental contributions.

Additional funding for travel and dancewear costs may also be available from individual CATs – please contact your local centre for more information.