From September 2026, approximately £2 million per year will be invested in the Church of England's maintenance grants scheme for ordinands, following the 2019 Living Ministry Study's conclusion that over one third of ordinands struggle with their finances.
While previously the National Ministry Team was responsible for paying an ordinand's tuition fees, the ordinand's sponsoring diocese was responsible for providing a grant towards maintenance and everyday living expenses. From September, a Ministry Training Fund will consolidate all fees, expenses and costs into a single, non-means-tested support package.
The amount provided will be dependant on where the ordinand lives, and grants will be split into three categories:
- Ordinands in Greater London will receive £26,127 for the first and second year.
- Ordinands in other high-cost areas will receive £20,176 for the first and second year.
- Ordinands in all other areas will receive £17,141 in the first and second year.
This will likely vary dependant on whether ordinands are in full or part-time training, with an additional grant available for ordinands with qualifying dependents.
The Revd Canon Nicholas McKee, Director for Ministry, has said that the reimagined grant allowances are “much more generous and will provide a simpler and more consistent system for making awards”. Conscious that this is a new approach, we stated that he "will be listening carefully to feedback from our ordinands and making any necessary adjustments, should they be needed, as the new system rolls out.”
A response from the Trust
"Ordinands are the clergy of tomorrow, and the future of the Church of England, it's congregations and communities - as well as those of the other national Churches - rests in their hands."
"It is exciting and reassuring to see the National Ministry Team, and Director of Ministry, The Revd Canon Nicholas McKee, recognising the importance of financially supporting our sisters and brothers taking their first steps in ministry."
"In 2025, Clergy Support Trust provided 69 Health grants, totalling over £45,000, to support ordinands with physical or mental health conditions. From occupational therapy to dentistry, these grants funded support that many ordinands would have been otherwise unable to afford."
"We also support many ordinands through our Counselling service, helping with a range of difficulties including bereavement and post-traumatic stress, and our Coaching service, a safe space to think, explore and process what they need to."
The Revd Ben Cahill-Nicholls
Chief Executive, Clergy Support Trust