The ifs School of Finance aims to build lifelong relationships with all of its alumni members and recognises that during that relationship there may be times when circumstances hinder your ability to renew your membership. To assist its alumni members in such circumstances the ifs has developed a range of provisions.
The ifs School of Finance is able, through its Bursary Fund, to assist alumni members who are experiencing genuine financial difficulty in maintaining their annual subscriptions.
It may be necessary to provide proof in order to substantiate a request for the payment of annual subscriptions through the Bursary Fund. The documents required are shown via the link above. The ifs is not responsible for any charges incurred by alumni members in providing substantiating documents, eg medical certificates.
Any arrangements are for the subscription period in which the application is made only and are at the discretion of the ifs. The subscription period is 1 January to 31 December.
The ifs School of Finance will give consideration to career applications from Fellows, Associates and alumni members for the following reasons:
- Maternity leave
- Full-time care of a dependent relative
- Further full-time studies to further an individual's career
- Special circumstances, after consideration of details provided
NB This does not apply to unemployment, ill health or hardship, which are covered by the provisions for Financial Assistance with alumni membership subscriptions.
Career breaks will not be considered for:
- overseas travel (eg backpacking)
- members working temporarily outside the industry
- full-time or part-time studies not related to an individual's career
Career breaks granted are for a maximum of 2 years at half the current annual subscription rate for the relevant membership grade.
Retired members
Alumni members who have retired from active business life may apply for Retired Membership Status at half the annual subscription rate.
For further information on membership, or to request a copy of the membership application form, please contact Membership Enquiries on + 44 (0) 1227 818609 or email alumni@ifslearning.ac.uk. Alternatively download the application form (Adobe PDF format).
Legacies
The ifs School of Finance holds a unique position in the world of financial education. Originally the Chartered Institute of Bankers, the ifs School of Finance is constantly aiming to build on its prestigious history. To further the long-standing traditions and assist in the continuing success of the ifs School of Finance, perhaps you might like to remember the organisation in your will.
A legacy would benefit future ifs students and you would be investing in the continuation of the important work and service that the ifs has provided for so many years. Your bequest would be of immense value to the many students setting out on a career in financial services each year who choose to develop their knowledge and skills with the ifs.
Your legacy would support the work of the ifs and its students, by enabling it to provide excellent training and education in financial services and financial capability. Your generosity would contribute towards a successful future for professionalism in financial services and improve the public knowledge and understanding of financial matters.
As the ifs is a registered charity, a gift to the ifs will be treated as a charitable donation. If the gift is by way of a legacy in a will your estate will pay no inheritance tax on the value of the gift.
If you would like to find out more, or are considering making a gift, please contact Liam Mandeville by email lmandeville@ifslearning.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0) 207 444 7129.
Members who have reached 50 years of membership
Achieving 50 years’ membership is an important milestone and the ifs is keen to continue to recognise and reward such valued and longstanding members.
The ifs is aware that many members' personal circumstances may have changed over the years, along with the particular benefits of membership that they value the most. To take account of this, those with 50 years of membership are able to choose from one of the options below:
Membership Option 1: Pay 50% of the full membership subscription and receive the full range of membership benefits (including Financial World magazine and access to ifs KnowledgeBank).
Membership Option 2: Pay no fee and receive a reduced number of benefits. Members who choose this option do not receive a printed copy of Financial World or have access to the e-library ifs KnowledgeBank, but will retain the right to use designations and attend local centre events. They can also attend events for which payment is required at member rates.
On reaching 50 years of membership, members are automatically allocated Membership Option 1. The ifs then contacts eligible members by letter providing details of how to change to Membership Option 2 should they prefer.
Members who already pay the retired members’ subscription rate are also allocated Membership Option 1 once they achieve 50 years of membership. They are also contacted directly by the ifs and given the opportunity to change to Membership Option 2.
Life and non-paying members are unaffected by this policy and will continue to have full access to all membership benefits upon reaching 50 years of membership.