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FAQs

I am an athlete - how do I get funding?

UK Sport invests Exchequer and National Lottery funding in Olympic and Paralympic sports via their “World Class Performance Programmes”. We do also offer individual athletes funding if they are nominated by their Olympic or Paralympic National Governing Body (NGB), via an Athlete Personal Award application process, which is a contribution to their living and personal sporting costs incurred whilst training and competing as an elite athlete.
UK Sport cannot offer funding direct to athletes outside of those nominated by these Olympic or Paralympic NGBs, therefore your first point of contact should be your sport. For a list of contacts please visit www.uksport.gov.uk/links.

What is TASS?

The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) is a government backed partnership between national governing bodies of sport and the Higher Education / Further Education Sector (EIs) focused on maintaining a balance between academic life and training as a performance athlete, aiming to reduce the drop-out of talented athletes from sport due to academic and financial pressures.
TASS funding is generally positioned below the UK Sport funded World Class Programmes and athlete places are prioritised to support those sports with funding and support gaps. Athletes meeting the correct eligibility criteria are nominated to TASS for an award by their governing body. TASS athletes must be undertaking a recognised education programme registered at an educational institution in England and the scholarship offered to an athlete operates on an academic year from October-September.

What happens when I am nominated for an APA?

When you are nominated by your NGB for an Athlete Personal Award you will receive an Application Pack from UK Sport, which will include an APA Application Form, a Data Protection form, Equality monitoring form and APA Guidance Notes. The forms need to be returned by the date stated so that the Athlete Investment Officers at UK Sport can assess your income.
If you qualify for an APA you will receive a letter detailing the APA Offer, and a copy of the Terms and Conditions of the Award. (If you do not qualify for an APA you will receive a letter from UK Sport highlighting why you are not eligible to receive an APA at this time.)
If you accept the APA offer you need to sign the APA acceptance form and email, fax or post it back to UK Sport. Once the Athlete Investment Officer has received the signed APA acceptance form your APA payment schedule will be set up.  

What is Means Testing?
APAs are subject to “means testing”. This means that any other income you may be receiving is taken into account in calculating your award. If your other income plus the maximum APA for your performance level is greater than the means testing threshold your APA will be reduced by the excess amount. You must declare all other income received each time you complete an APA application form.

What happens if I become injured/ill or pregnant whilst training?
UK Sport’s policy supports full flexibility for sports to tailor a package for an athlete, depending on circumstances, training levels and potential for return to competition at highest level. A plan and framework for non-competing periods will be agreed between the Sport, athlete and UK Sport.
Please contact your Performance Advisor in the first instance.

Why can’t I complete applications online for my APA?
UK Sport’s current APA process requires hand signed APA paperwork, so it is not presently possible to complete online APA application forms. 

Can someone sign my APA paperwork on my behalf?
If the Athlete is under 18 it is mandatory for a Parent or Guardian of the Athlete to sign the APA paperwork. However if the Athlete is over 18, the Athlete is the only person who can sign the APA paper work.
By signing the Offer Letter Acceptance, you are confirming that you have read and understood the Terms and Conditions of the Award.

What happens when I retire?
Athletes, who are retiring from their sport or are no longer nominated for a WCP Podium or Development level APA, may be offered transitional funding at their current award level for a period of time as agreed by their sport.
The maximum period of transitional funding available is 3 months. Please contact your Performance Advisor for further support.

Useful Links

www.britishathletes.org
www.athletetax.com
www.ukad.org.uk
www.eis2win.co.uk
www.sisport.com
http://www.national-lottery.co.uk/player/p/home.ftl

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