How can we help?

For the 2025 cycle, if you have been in receipt of free school meals at some point during the last six years (during your secondary education) up until the end of your final year, you will be eligible to have your application fee waived if you're applying for a UCAS Undergraduate course. Find out more.

No – you don't need to ask a teacher to verify your eligibility or provide evidence to UCAS if you answer yes to this question. However, the university or college may contact you for more information or to discuss how they can support you.

No – it is entirely optional to give this information – you do not have to let the university or college know if you don’t want to. However, we recommend that you do, so they can understand the context of your achievements and make sure you know about any support that can help you during your studies. Even if you don’t feel you need any extra support now, you may feel differently later on.

If you prefer, you can contact the university or college directly to discuss your circumstances and talk about any support you might need. If you have any questions, they will be happy to give you more detailed information and advice at any time before or after you apply. 

This information is shared (securely) with those who are responsible for supporting you at university or college (e.g. the student services team).

Knowing about your circumstances may also help admissions staff to 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 once you're at university or college (e.g. through a scholarship or bursary scheme). Also, they may get in touch with details of any events or activities they think you'll find interesting to prepare you for higher education.

The information you provide here may be used (anonymously) for monitoring purposes. This helps the university to inform and improve the support they provide to students in the future.

The information you share with UCAS is kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

For more information about who your information is shared with, read UCAS’ privacy policy.

Research indicates students who receive free school meals are more likely to achieve lower educational outcomes (e.g. lower grades at GCSE and/or A level or Highers) as a result of their circumstances.

To ensure that applicants’ achievements are considered in context, admissions staff at some course providers use this, and other information, to form a more complete picture of you as an individual, and identify applicants who have the potential to succeed. This is called ‘contextualised admissions’.

In some cases, course providers may make you a ‘contextual offer’, which is typically slightly lower than the standard entry requirements.

If you're not sure, ask your school – they'll be able to confirm this for you.

If you're eligible for free school meals (or were in the past), but haven't receive them for any reason, you can still use this question to let the university or college know.

Secondary education means any education setting you attended between the ages of 11 to 18.

• In England and Wales, this would be Years 7 – 13.
• In Northern Ireland it would be Years 8 – 14.
• In Scotland, S1 – S6.

This might have been in a school, sixth form or college.

Young people in the UK are usually eligible for free school meals 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.

You may also be eligible if you're paid qualifying benefits directly, instead of through your parent or carer.