Rabi to relaunch £1m back-to-school grant scheme

Thousands of farming families across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be able to benefit from the fourth Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi) Return to School (RTS) grant, which opens from 16 June 2025.

With £1m committed, the RTS grant offers £200 per child aged four to 16 to support school costs for eligible farming families.

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Open to both working and non-working households that have farmed for at least two years, the scheme aims to ensure children start the new school year confident and well-equipped.

Launched in 2022, the grant is available to families living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The high demand for previous rounds has led to a phased approach for 2025.

This year, there are 5,000 grants available in total, split across two phases – 2,500 in Phase 1 (opening Monday 16 June) and 2,500 in Phase 2 (opening Monday 30 June).

Rabi encourages applicants to prepare early. “To ensure your application is processed in the most efficient manner, we strongly encourage families to have their key information ready as soon as applications open,” the charity said.

Full eligibility details, frequently asked questions and terms and conditions can be found at rabi.org.uk/returntoschool.

Key information you will need to apply:

• Total number of children you claim child benefit for
• The amount of child benefit you receive each month
• A copy of a bank statement showing child benefit payment received in the past two months
• Confirmation of the number of school-aged children eligible for the grant. 

Founded more than 160 years ago, Rabi provides financial, practical and emotional support to the farming community.

Services are delivered both directly and through partnerships, with a focus on tailored, one-to-one support.

“The commitment to addressing the individual needs of farming people is at the core of Rabi’s mission,” the charity said.

Funding comes from donations, fundraising, charitable trusts, investment income and legacies.

More information about Rabi’s services and other initiatives can be found at rabi.org.uk.