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Currently all applications which meet the Society's criteria are considered by the General Committee which meets on a quarterly basis.  The dealines for applications are for consideration at the following General Committee meetings are:

• March meeting, applications must be received by 31st December;
• June meeting, applications must be received by 31st March;
• September meeting, applications must be received by 30th June; and
• December meeting, by applications must be received 30th September.

We will be trialling a process whereby some applications are considered by a delegated group in the hope this will make the decision making process quicker.

All applications are presented to trustees on a "name-blind basis", so that no prejudice can arise from assumptions about an applicant's race, background or religion based on their name. A summary of each application is provided to Trustees, along with a Financial Statement.

Each application is considered on its own merits, and Trustees decide whether to admit, defer for further information or reject each in turn. Trustees will take into account evidence of personal achievement in their life; self support; consideration of others; voluntary or community work, or looking after family members who required care. This information is requested on the application form and developed further during the first Caseworker visit. Trustees will also consider the level of debt an applicant may have.

All applicants are written to within a few days of each meeting, advising them of the outcome of their application.

The Society only has a finite income, and actively manages the number of beneficiaries it commits to support on a long term basis. At times there may be more applicants who meet the admission process than the Society is willing to admit at that time, and in such circumstances, priority is commonly given to those on the lowest "income" as defined above but ultimately Trustees have discretion over whom they will support.