Hi
@Jessica Booker,
If a firm stipulates that all future trainees should do the SQE together (in-person) at BPP or ULaw London (depending on who they have partnered with), and they offer a maintenance grant worth X (e.g., £20,000), is it ever possible for firms to offer additional financial support to people who live very far from London AND are from a socially mobile background? It seems that most firms offer a standard maintenance grant to all future trainees, which doesn’t take into account personal or financial circumstances?
Do you know of any instances where city law firms have offered additional support, either as a grant/bursary or interest-free loan? How do firms deal with future trainees of a particular faith or religion, where they can’t take out on an interest-based loan from student finance, due to their religious beliefs? Also, is it true some firms request their future trainees to not work part time whilst studying the SQE? If so, how do people usually survive in London (I don’t really know how expensive London is but I have heard it is really bad, especially rent prices)?
Apologies for the long question. 🥲🥲
In most instances, it is going to be unlikely that additional funds would be allocated on a means-tested basis. Firms set their maintenance grants at levels they think are reasonable for everyone no matter what their circumstances. There might be some firms that offer this, but it isn't something I have heard of enough for it to be common.
Sometimes firms offer additional financial awards but they tend to not be means-tested. It can be if you have achieved something (e.g. a certain grade in your degree) or if you want to put money towards a particular initiative that will help develop certain transferable skills (e.g. learning a new language/doing a volunteer project).
Some firms do offer interest-free loans or salary advances, but the salary advances are typically only given in the 1-2 months before starting a TC rather than at the start of the SQE. Interest-free loans could be agreed earlier on.
We do know some firms stop their future trainees from working part-time - many don't though, and so many future trainees do have part-time jobs (like some people in the TCLA team) to top up their income.
Some firms also offer interim work in the holidays or periods between courses to help boost people's income, whether that's directly with the firm or asking the temp agencies they work with to support their future trainees with finding appropriate temp work.
You should speak to your TC firm if you have got any concerns about being able to afford living in London during the SQE to find out how they can support you and what their policies are on things like working part-time.
