Eligibility Process
Student Athlete Eligibility
Once allocated places, NGBs can only select learners/athletes who meet the student eligibility criteria below.
NGB’s should outline in their application how they will ensure that this is managed accordingly through their implementation of the scheme.
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1. To be eligible for DiSE programme funding, a student must meet the following criteria:
a. Be aged 16 to 18 (or aged 19 to 24 if they have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan), when they start the programme.
b. Subject to paragraph 2 below, be enrolled on a state funded study programme and be studying towards an academic (e.g. A levels) or technical qualification (e.g. NVQs or City and Guilds).
c. Be on a talent pathway managed by their sport’s National Governing Body (NGB).
d. Must not be employed by their sport body or club on a professional contract.
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2. The requirement in paragraph 1b. “be enrolled on a state funded study programme”, does not apply to students who attend a fee-paying school for their main study programme in the following circumstances:
a. The student is in receipt of the school’s means-tested bursary of at least 50% fee remission; or
b. The student is in receipt of a talent / ability-based scholarship of at least 50% but were this not to be the case then they would have otherwise qualified for the school’s means-tested bursary of at least 50% fee remission; or
c. At least 50% of the student’s fees are being paid by a third sector organisation but were this not to be the case then they would have otherwise qualified for the school’s means-tested bursary of at least 50% fee remission.
d. With regard to students eligible under paragraph 2 a., 2 b. or 2c., the relevant NGB should take all reasonable steps to confirm a student’s eligibility with the student’s fee-paying school before the student is enrolled on or starts the DiSE programme. The NGB should retain the relevant documentation for audit purposes.
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