Financial support to walk
Don’t let the cost of Pilgrim Cross put you off. We subsidise the price of taking part for those without a job or who are low-paid.
Need some extra help? Perhaps short of some vital equipment, such as a sleeping bag or good walking shoes? Or need help with a train ticket to get you to the pilgrimage? Further generous financial support is available through our bursary scheme to support you to walk Pilgrim Cross.
All of this is possible due to the Student Cross Association (SCA), our own registered charity. Despite the name, you don’t need to be a student to get help.
You’ll have the chance to say if you need financial support when you sign up to Pilgrim Cross. And leg leaders are happy to discuss any support you need.
Grants from the Student Cross Association
The SCA provides two types of grants annually for Pilgrim Cross pilgrims in need of financial help:
Fixed grants – Grants are given to help unwaged or low waged pilgrims. The amount is based on the funds available and subsidises the price for unwaged/low waged pilgrims. Grants are also given to family groups who need financial help to take part in a family leg. All grants are made on behalf of qualifying pilgrims directly to their leg, allowing the leg to charge lower fees for unwaged and low-waged pilgrims.
For adult legs in 2024, the SCA grants are £110 for unwaged pilgrims, £75 for low waged pilgrims.
For family legs in 2024, the SCA grants for Category 2 families are £75 for adults, £50 for children, and for Category 3 families are £115 for adults, £70 for children.*
Direct bursaries – Individual pilgrims can apply for this extra bursary. Ask your leg leader how to apply. It can help with things like travel costs, equipment or, in special cases, meeting the total cost of the walk for students or unwaged pilgrims. If accepted, the bursary will be paid on the pilgrim’s behalf to their leg.
* As a family booking on a family leg of Pilgrim Cross, you are asked to self-declare in one of the following 3 categories:
Category 1: If you can afford to come without becoming stressed or worried about the financial aspect then you would probably fit into category 1
Category 2: If coming on a family leg would put your family under undue financial strain, and might prevent you from coming, then you would probably fit into this category
Category 3: If you simply cannot afford to come without significant help then you are likely to fit into this category.