Financial assistance

Every child deserves the chance to thrive at school, regardless of financial circumstances. We are committed to providing families with the support they need to help children and young people participate fully in their education.

If financial challenges are affecting your child’s ability to attend school or perform to their full potential, help is available. We understand that these situations can be stressful.

Please contact your school or early learning/childcare establishment to find out more about available resources or specific support services.

Don’t miss out - claim what’s yours

To make sure you are getting all the support you and your family are entitled to, you can take a free online benefit check using the Fife Benefit Calculator.

Alternatively, you can call our Community Support Line on 0800 952 0330 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm)

What could I be entitled to?

Below is a range of financial support available to help support pupils and their families.

• Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods

  How to apply for the School Age Payment, Early Learning Payment, Pregnancy and Baby Payment and a prepaid card to buy healthy food.

• Café Inc

  Cafe Inc is a free lunch club for children and young people during the school holidays.

• Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

  A weekly payment of £30 for young people (16-25) from low income families who are continuing in higher or further education

• Fernie Trust

  Financial assistance for those at school or in further education in the Star of Markinch area

• Free School Meals and School Clothing Grants

  We can provide free school meals and a school clothing grant if you are on a low income.

• Free School Meals for P1-5

  All children in primary one to primary five are entitled to free school meals, saving over £450 a year

• Period Products

  We currently provide online access to free sanitary products. This includes reusable products.

• Scottish Child Payment

  Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family.

• Tax free childcare

  If you use childcare, paying your approved provider via the Tax Free Childcare scheme can save you money.

• The Fitzgerald Trust

  Financial help for those going into further education and living in the Kirkcaldy area

• The Maxton Bequest Trust

  Financial assistance for those in further education and living in either Kirkcaldy or Crieff area

• Young Carer Grant

  Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £359.65 for young carers in Scotland aged 16, 17 or 18 years old.

• Young Person’s Free Bus Travel

  Free bus travel throughout Scotland for young people aged 5-21