A guide to education grants available in the UK
If you need support funding your education, you may be wondering what education grants are available in the UK. Well, look no further! In this guide to education grants in the UK, we’ll provide some information on what’s available and how to apply.
There are many options available to help you fund your education. For example, the public and private sectors offer education grants in the UK, as well as charitable trusts. The benefit of a grant over a loan is that you don’t have to pay a grant back. This can be particularly helpful for many people, especially if you’re encountering financial hardship, for instance. As a result of this hardship, there are plenty of options available to give people a helping hand.
The education grants in the UK below all have a rolling deadline, meaning that they’re open year-round. We’ll give you some helpful advice on how to bid for funding and the eligibility criteria. A funding writer can help optimise your success.
Lawrence Atwell Charity Individuals Programme
One of the education grants in the UK is funded by the Laurence Atwell Charity. This charity gives grants to young people from low-income backgrounds. The grants can be used to take courses (up to level 3), that will help them get employed. As a result, it can help them gain accredited, vocational qualifications.
What’s available?
Grants ranging from £100 – £1,500 are available for people aged 16 – 26. The funding can be used for equipment/materials, course fees, travel costs and childcare.
The grant is not available for general welfare purposes. As a result, it cannot be spent on secondary education, university or postgraduate degrees. They also cannot be spent on courses at private drama or dance college.
Eligibility criteria
You can be considered for funding if you are:
- Living and studying in England and Wales
- Aged 16 – 25 (on the date your course starts)
- A British citizen, a refugee with indefinite leave to remain or have lived in the UK for 3 years
- Taking accredited, vocational training course up to level 3
- From a low-income household (check their website for details).
Priority grants will be given to those that have:
- Little or no past working experience
- Lover income households
- Fewer existing qualifications.
How to apply
To apply for this education grant in the UK, you can apply online via the Lawrence Atwell Charity’s website. To do this, you must register and complete their online eligibility quiz. Once you’ve completed the quiz, you will be directed to their online application form if you’re eligible.
Applicants are recommended to apply at least eight weeks ahead of beginning a course.
The Prince’s Trust Development Awards
The Prince’s Trust gives education grants to young people in the UK. They run a number of programmes to help young people and grants to support them. The grants are for those who have:
- Experienced difficulties at school
- Been in trouble with the law
- Are long-term unemployed
- Been in care.
What’s available?
Grants of £175 – 250 are available which depends on your location, needs and funding availability. It is paid directly to an organisation or sent to you as a voucher. Grants can fund:
- Equipment, uniforms, or tools for a job/qualification
- Accredited course feeds up to Level 3 (A-Level equivalent)
- Transport to a new job until your first payslip
- Job licence fees.
Eligibility criteria
- Aged 16 – 30
- Living in the UK
- Unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week
- Studying less than 14 hours a week or not in compulsory education.
How to apply
You can apply by getting in touch with the Prince’s Trust online via their website. You need to tell them:
- A bit about who you are
- Your education/employment plan
- How the grant will support your goal.
After you’ve done this, a volunteer will complete your application form with you. Remember, it can take up to eight weeks to process grant applications.
B&CE’s Charitable Trust
This education grant is only for those who have worked in construction. The B&CE’s Charitable Trust aims to provide financial help for people in times of need. This includes homelessness, funeral costs and support towards medical needs, for instance.
What’s available?
The grants available can be used for:
- Rent in advance or a deposit
- Essential household bills (gas, water, electricity and council tax)
- Rent/mortgage arrears
- Disability aids (mobility scooter, wheelchair etc)
- Funeral costs
- Entry level training construction courses (not for NVQ/degree level courses)
- Education, training or retraining
- Occupational health and safety initiatives.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this education grant, you must have:
- Been unemployed for at least 3 months
- Worked in construction as a ‘tradesperson’
- Worked in this profession for at least 12 months. A ‘tradesperson’ is someone who has been manually involved in the build of a project. For example, a:
- Labourer working on site
- Plant driver working on site as part of a construction project
- Grounds person working as a civil engineer on a project
- Scaffolder
- Painter and decorator.
How to apply
To apply, you need to go onto the Turn2us website and find the B&CE’s Charitable Trust. Likewise, you can also email them at charitabletrust@bandce.co.uk.
You will need to send them:
- Proof that you work or have worked within construction for at least 12 months
- A completed Charitable Trust application form
- A copy of your birth certificate/passport/driving licence
- The last 3 months’ consecutive bank statements (plus your partners accounts if applicable).
The Vegetarian Charity
The Vegetarian Charity is for vegans and vegetarians aged 26 and below who need financial assistance. The grant can be spent on educational courses or essential items. Vegetarian children under 16 are able to apply for the grant. However, their parents must apply on their behalf.
What’s available?
Grants of up to £500 are available. It can be spent on:
- Education courses
- Relief of poverty
- The purchase of items and equipment for courses (sewing machines, computers, art materials, etc.)
- Equipment for applicants with special needs
- Bedding, furniture, carpets, fridges etc.
Eligibility criteria
You must be a vegetarian or a vegan to apply. To clarify, if you eat fish, you won’t be considered.
You will need to supply the contact details of two people who are willing to vouch for your vegan/vegetarianism. After this, the Vegetarian Charity will write to them personally to request a signed reference statement. However, it’s important to note that they must not be family, house-mates or students.
How to apply
Firstly, you should note that this process is likely to take three months. You can apply for the grant via a form available from the charity. You will need to include:
- Details of any other grants received
- CV
- Covering letter
- Bank statements from the recent two months
- References.
These are just a few education grants available in the UK. For more funding options, you can also check your local council’s website for regional grants. There are grants available for specific subjects or industries too.
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