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Clergy family grants

Jesus College Chapel makes annual grants to assist children of clergy ordained according to the rites of the Church of England while they are at school.

How to apply

The funding round for 2024 is now open. Applications can be made through the online application form. For any queries or further clarification, please contact the Chapel Office.

In very exceptional circumstances, such as the death of a spouse, funds are granted outside of the normal process. In this case, the supervising Archdeacon or Bishop should contact the Dean of Chapel directly.

Eligibility

The Rustat Trust makes grants to support the education of children of clergy ordained according to the rites of the Church of England. There are no restrictions on the clergy who may apply including: stipendiary or self-supporting clergy, clergy in parish or non-parochial roles, families of divorced clergy and the families of deceased clergy. 

Children must be under the age of 19 on the 1st July in the year of the application.

Grants may be given for any educational purpose, such as music or sports lessons, equipment, uniform and including the provision of school meals and transport costs where these are not met fully by the Local Education Authority.

Applications from parents of children with disabilities or learning difficulties, single parents, clergy ministering in areas of deprivation or in other circumstances requiring financial assistance are particularly welcome. 

In making grants, the College has regard to:

  • the amount of any surplus in the fund
  • the merits of each application, in the light of all relevant circumstances.

In making grants, the primary intentions are:

  • to assist the children of parents in particular need
  • to offer financial assistance in cases of urgent and unforeseen need (e.g. when the child's education is imperilled by the death, illness, unemployment or bankruptcy of one of the parents)
  • to offer financial assistance where for some special reason, such as physical or mental handicap, a child would clearly benefit from an education which is not provided free.

Please note that no grants towards school fees will be offered.

Grant applications must be approved by the Archdeacon, Bishop or other senior Diocesan Officer.

Legacy of slavery

Tobias Rustat (1608-1694) was a major benefactor to Jesus College, including founding the Rustat Trust to support the children of clergy in need. During his career, he had financial and other involvement in the Royal African Company (RAC), a slave trading company.

Jesus College acknowledges that profiting from enslavement, trafficking and exploitation is unambiguously wrong. Following the recommendations of our Legacy of Slavery Working Party (LSWP), the College has decided to critically address Tobias Rustat's role in our history in various ways. 

Hear from our people

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    Luis

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    My time in Cambridge has been full of exciting moments, good memories, and amazing people. When I first embarked on postgraduate studies, I never imagined I would be becoming part of the Chapel community at Jesus College. However, after my first attendance to an evensong I decided I wanted to take an active role in what for me was a complete new experience; even when I had always been an active member of my church back at home, Jesus College Chapel was an enthralling environment in which other people like...

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    Matthew

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    Singing at Jesus has been a highlight of my time at university so far, because I have the privilege of singing amazing choral music with other passionate and talented singers. As a member of the College Choir and the Lower Voices, I have the opportunity to sing with our women undergraduates in the College Choir and also with the boy choristers in the Chapel Choir, which offers valuable exposure to some great repertoire. I’ve taken part in some really exciting projects despite COVID disruption, with highlights including three performances of...

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    Ben

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    I’ve had an amazing time singing at Jesus over my four years in College. It’s been an absolutely central part of my university experience, and has helped me grow as a student, a musician, and a person. The Chapel and Choir community is friendly, supportive, and diverse, and the high musical standard means that singing at Jesus is the perfect balance of challenging and rewarding. It’s a great way to be really involved with college life, from matriculation evensong at the start of the year to graduation at the end...

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