What do you mean by free school meals?
Young people in the UK are usually eligible for free school meals (FSM) if their parents or carers are on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits – they'll need to have registered with their local authority.
The UCAS application
The ‘More about you’ section in the application gives you the opportunity to share a range of circumstances and support needs – one of these is your eligibility for free school meals. If you have received free school meals at any point during your secondary education, select ‘yes’. The application fee
- For the 2025 cycle, students who are currently enrolled at school or college, and have been in receipt of free school meals at some point during the last six years (i.e. during their secondary education) up until the end of their final year, will be eligible to have the application fee waived.
- Students applying from the independent school sector can indicate their financial circumstances would have made them eligible for free school meals in the past six years. This can be verified by teachers/advisers using confirmation through your previous school or college, a letter of confirmation from the local authority, or using the Bursary Assessment Associates contextualised data service.
- Students who are not currently enrolled at a school or college, but are applying through a registered centre and can demonstrate to the centre that they have been in receipt of free school meals at some point during the last 6 years, are eligible to have the application fee waived.
What support can I get if I want to go to university?
Research suggests that students from low-income households are less likely to go to university. There are many different reasons for this, and it can be different for each student – for example, if you have lower grades you might not think higher education is right for you, or perhaps the financial aspects of going to university are a barrier.
Outreach activities
For some students, their individual circumstances can have a significant impact on their decision to go to university or college – and on their experience when they are there. Students from under-represented backgrounds often need extra support throughout their discovery journey and when applying to HE.
Universities, colleges, charities, and employers deliver outreach activities which can support you throughout school or college to help you develop skills, discover your future options and support you with making the best decisions for your future.
These activities might be subject-specific, such as a university taster session or summer school. Some activities might be long-term programmes such as mentoring, academic support or in school workshops.
If you are in school or college, your teacher or adviser can support you with finding outreach opportunities through the Outreach Connection Service in the adviser portal. Speak to them to find out more about the opportunities available to you.
Help with the costs of attending open days, interviews, and events
Some universities can support with the costs of attending open days, interviews and events. It’s important to do your research and speak to the university about your options if the cost is a barrier to you attending these events.
Some examples include:
- Open Day Travel Bursary from University College London
- Travel Fund at the University of East Anglia
- Travel bursary from the University of Southampton
Contextualised admissions
When universities consider your achievements, it helps them to know if you've faced any particular circumstances or challenges that may have impacted your education or results. By looking at your application in context, they may adjust their usual offer to give you a fair chance to access your chosen course – these are called ‘contextual offers’.
The type of offer you receive will depend on the course and provider you apply to. Not every university or college makes contextual offers, so do your research before you apply.
Read more about contextualised offers and whether you might be eligible.
Help to make your next steps
If you’re unsure about what career to explore, what pathway to follow, or even what subjects you can study, UCAS has all the information you need to discover your future.
Discover your options in the UCAS Hub
Start by registering in the UCAS Hub. Answer some questions and we’ll start to personalise your dashboard. Here you can learn about different careers and industries, take a careers quiz, search for courses and apprenticeships opportunities, learn about different courses and subjects, and get all the support you need to make a university application.
The Hub is also where you will build your profile and make an application – if you decide this is the right pathway for you.
If you’re thinking of going to university but not sure what it would be like – why not speak to a current student? We can put you in touch with students at universities all over the UK from all sorts of backgrounds and studying a wide range of courses.
And why not try before you apply? If you want to know more about the sort of things you’ll learn, our Subject Spotlights will give you the chance to try a university course. Delivered by the lecturers themselves, you will gain insight into what it’s like to study the course (and give your personal statement a boost).
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a hands-on route to gain professional experience and earn money at the same time. To find out more about being an apprentice, read our apprenticeship pages, where we cover funding and support networks.
The money, funding and finance page explains more about apprentice wages, associated fees and who covers them, as well as apprentice discounts and more.
Frequently asked questions: FSM fee waiver
Am I eligible to have my application fee waived?
For the 2025 cycle, students who are currently enrolled at school or college, and have been in receipt of free school meals at some point during the last 6 years (i.e. during their secondary education) up until the end of their final year, will be eligible to have the application fee waived.
Students applying from the independent school sector can indicate that their financial circumstances would have made them eligible for free school meals in the past 6 years. This can be verified by teachers/advisers using confirmation through your previous school or college, a letter of confirmation from the local authority, or using the Bursary Assessment Associates contextualised data service. Speak to your school for more information.
Students who are not currently enrolled at a school or college, but who are applying through a registered centre and can demonstrate to the centre that they have been in receipt of free school meals at some point during the last 6 years, are eligible to have the application fee waived.
How do I get my application fee waived if I am eligible?
- When starting your application you’ll need to enter a ‘buzzword’ which you can get from your school/college. Linking to the school/college allows the teachers and advisers there to see what you are researching within the UCAS Hub, monitor your application status, and see your offers so they can support you better through the process.
- In the ‘More about you’ section of the application, select ‘yes’ to the question ‘Are you currently receiving free school meals, or were you in receipt of free school meals between the ages of 11 to 18?’
- Select ‘pay by centre’ when you review and submit your application.
- Your teacher/adviser will have the option to agree your free school meals eligibility when reviewing your application. (Your school/college must be able to agree you have been in receipt of free school meals in order to waive the application fee.
If this information is not available through your school/college information system, you will need to provide evidence, this could include confirmation through your previous school or college, or a letter of confirmation from the local authority).
I can’t afford the application fee, but I am not eligible for the fee waiver – what are my options?
The application fee is not meant to prevent anyone from applying to university. There should always be a way to cover the fee.
Please speak to your school or college first if you have difficulty in affording the application fee. Most schools and colleges will cover the cost if you can’t afford it.
You could also contact your university or college directly as they may also have schemes to pay for application fees in some circumstances.
For students in certain circumstances, there may be other sources of financial help: Learn all about filling in your UCAS application for uni
I’ve already paid the application fee, can I have this refunded?
Unfortunately, we are not able to process refunds if you have already paid the application fee.
I haven’t confirmed I am eligible for FSM, and I have submitted my application, can this be amended?
Unfortunately, this question is not editable after you have submitted your application.
You can speak to your university choices directly to let them know about a change in your circumstances or mistake on your application.
What do I need to do if my school/college don’t know anything about this process?
Please speak to your school/college – they can find the information needed within the Adviser Guide and online.
I’m eligible for free school meals/application fee waiver, but my school or college hasn’t given me the option to pay through centre instead of paying online.
Please speak to your school/college – they can find the information needed within the Adviser Guide and online.
I’m eligible for free school meals/application fee waiver, but my school or college is asking me to pay them for my application fee.
Please speak to your school/college – they can find the information needed within the Adviser Guide and online.
I’m currently in care so I don’t qualify for free school meals - what are my options?
UCAS’ charge is not meant to prevent anyone from applying to university. There should always be a way to cover the fee.
Please speak to your school or college first if you have difficulty in affording the application fee. Most schools and colleges will cover the cost of your application fee if you can’t afford this yourself.
You could also contact your university or college directly as they may also have schemes to pay for application fees in some circumstances.
Your local authority may also be able to cover this cost for you. Contact your personal adviser, or call the Become Care Advice Service on 0800 023 2033 for more advice.
I am from a low-income family, but we did not register for free school meals even though we were eligible to apply - can I still have my fee waived?
Your school/college must be able to agree you have been in receipt of free school meals in order to waive the application fee.
Details can be found below of the eligibility criteria and how to apply for free school meals:
- If you’re in England
- If you’re in Northern Ireland
- If you’re in Scotland
- If you’re in Wales
You could also speak to your school/college, they will be able to advise you of the eligibility and how to apply for free school meals before submitting your application.
I’m an FE college student and I receive EMA/ a bursary, does this mean I can get my fee waived?
Your school/college must be able to agree you have been in receipt of government funded free school meals in order to waive the application fee.
If this information is not available through your school/college information system, you will need to provide evidence, this could include confirmation through your previous school or college, or a letter of confirmation from the local authority.
How is the information about free school meals used?
This information is shared (securely) with those who are responsible for supporting you at university or college, and it is treated confidentially.
Knowing about your circumstances may also help admissions staff take your achievements into account and gain a better understanding of your achievements and potential in context. They may be able to offer additional support during your studies (e.g. through a scholarship or bursary scheme), or events or activities to help you prepare for higher education. Some may use this information to decide whether to make you a contextual offer.
The information you provide in your UCAS application may also be used (anonymously) for monitoring purposes. This helps the university to inform and improve the support they provide to students in the future. Your data is kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 - read our privacy policy.
I’m an international student, am I eligible for a fee waiver?
No, only students who are currently enrolled at a UK school or college and have been in receipt of FSM are eligible for the fee waiver.
I am applying for a conservatoire, can I get the application fee waived?
Yes – if you have been in receipt of FSM and are making a conservatoire application, you will be contacted directly via email with further instructions when you declare you are in receipt of free school meals in the ‘More about you’ section of the application.
Conservatoires provide performance-based higher education, including music, drama, screen, and production courses – both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. You can find out more information about conservatoires here.
How do I know if I am eligible for free school meals (England)?
Speak to your school/college, they will be able to advise you of the eligibility, you can also look at the government guidance.
How do I know if I am eligible for free school meals (Scotland)?
Speak to your school/college, they will be able to advise you of the eligibility, you can also look at the government guidance.
How do I know if I am eligible for free school meals (Northern Ireland)?
Speak to your school/college, they will be able to advise you of the eligibility, you can also look at the government guidance.
How do I know if I am eligible for free school meals (Wales)?
Speak to your school/ college, they will be able to advise you of the eligibility, you can also look at the government guidance.