Where is my application?

Type the reference from your SMS. The tracker shows every stage, the date it moved and exactly what to do next. It is updated by the programme team every weekday.

Try a demo reference:

Demo references

See three journeys.

BFT-26-0417: a secondary applicant booked for the aptitude test
BFT-26-0391: a skills applicant with a document still needed
BFT-25-1188: last year’s undergraduate scholar, awarded and paid

Applications you send from the apply page during this visit appear here too.

The six stages

What each one means.

Stages move in order. If yours has not moved in three weeks, message us and we will tell you why.

Stage 1

Received

Your form is in. We send your reference by SMS within the hour, and on screen straight away.

Stage 2

Documents checked

A programme officer checks every document within ten working days. If something is unclear we say exactly what, and you have three weeks to send it.

Stage 3

Aptitude test

One hour, on a Saturday, near home. We book your seat and send the venue by SMS a week before.

Stage 4

Interview

The top scorers meet a panel of three. Under 18s bring a parent or guardian. Travel money is paid on the day.

Stage 5

Decision

The awards committee meets in April. Every applicant hears back by SMS and email, with feedback if they ask.

Stage 6

First payment

Fees go to the school account before term starts. You see the date and amount here.

Typical timings

How long each stage takes.

From the 2026 cycle. Example figures for this demo.

Received to documents checked

6 days

Documents to aptitude test

3 wks

Test to interview

6 wks

Interview to decision

4 wks

Decision to first payment

2 wks

If it says action needed

Do not worry.

About one in five applications need one more document. It does not count against you.

How do I send a missing document

Send a clear photo on WhatsApp with your reference in the message, or bring a copy to the office on a weekday. The tracker updates within two working days.

I lost my reference

Message us from the phone number you used on the form and we will resend it. For your safety we only send it to that number.

Can I ask for feedback if I am not selected

Yes. Reply to the decision SMS with the word FEEDBACK and a programme officer will call you within a month.

Can I appeal a decision

You can ask for a review within fourteen days if you think a fact was wrong, for example a result was misread. A trustee who was not on your panel looks at it.

Not applied yet?

Applications close on 15 January 2027. Your reference arrives the moment you submit.

Start an application Talk to the team