Trusts and Charities

There are numerous charities and educational trusts that give or lend money to help people study.  Unfortunately, demand for help far outstrips supply and the chances are against success.  Nevertheless, if you are in genuine need there may be a trust willing to help you.  This leaflet gives some general information about trusts and charities but does not cover every possible charity or trust. The eligibility criteria and application processes vary widely.

What to do next?

Find out about trusts using online resources:

The Turn2us website is one of the biggest resources for finding charities and trusts. It and allows you to search a database of over 3,000 charitable funds offering welfare and educational grants.

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/grants_search.aspx

The British Council provides an information resource for international students http://www.educationuk.org/global/articles/scholarships-financial-support/

Save the student have information about scholarships that you can find here:

https://www.savethestudent.org/international-students/scholarships-funding-for-international-students-uk.html

https://www.savethestudent.org/student-finance/weird-university-bursaries-grants-scholarships.html

UCAS provides the following information for students:

International students: https://www.ucas.com/finance/scholarships-grants-and-bursaries/scholarships-grants-and-bursaries-eu-and-international-students

Greek students: Home | schilizzifoundation (admin47189.wixsite.com)

Disabled students: Scholarships, grants, and bursaries: Disabled students | Undergraduate, Conservatoires | UCAS (scroll down to find ‘External funding for disabled students’)

Information for refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK can be found here: Home - Displaced Student Opportunities

For postgraduate students who have been resident in Leicestershire or Rutland interest free loans may be available to students aged between 18 and 34 from the Sir Thomas White Loan Charity (up to £6,000)and the Harry James Riddleston Charity (up to £10,000). 

More information:

https://www.stwcharity.co.uk/education-loans/

http://www.harryriddleston.org.uk/

You may also find out about local charities that may not be mentioned in the national directories through your library, local community information organisations, careers service or your education authority.

The University has a number of accredited degrees linked to professional bodies.

This list below is not exhaustive and we suggest that any students on programmes accredited by professional bodies might check with the relevant body for up-to-date information.

Chemists Community Fund - Chemists' Community Fund - formerly the Benevolent Fund - Royal Society of Chemistry (rsc.org)

Institute of Engineering and Technology - IET IET Future Talent Awards (theiet.org)

Institute of Mechanical Engineers Student grants - IMechE Support Network

Most likely to offer those in arrears with gas, electricity and water bills.  Some funds are handled by a third party Help for Individuals: Charis Grants' Initiatives

Other funds are managed by the utility company, so it’s worth contacting the company direct or search for support/hardship funds grants on your energy/water suppliers’ company website.

When should I apply?

Some trusts consider applications throughout the year but check for deadlines. You will often find that application deadlines are once a year or quarterly.  Also check whether the trust only considers applications from people before studies start or during certain stages of study.  Give yourself time to plan your applications by researching trusts at the earliest opportunity.

How do I apply?

Generally you will have to make an application by email or using an online form. Some trusts will only accept applications from certain referral agencies or from people personally known to the trustees. 

If the trust produces an application pack this will give you more information to help you decide whether the trust is suitable and also  help you with completing your application.

A clerk to the trust is often named on the website and they might be able to give further advice about the trust and their application process.  A short telephone call or email to the clerk may save you a lot of time and effort.

Whether you are applying by form, email or in writing make your application clear and well presented.  Trustees usually receive many applications and you need to maximise your chances of success.

Do not copy the same application to many trusts. Each trust has its own objectives and priorities. Your application should show how your situation meets the individual trust’s criteria.  The following core information will be required by most trusts:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Nationality
  • Family details, e.g. whether married and details of dependants
  • Details of previous study and qualifications
  • Course information, including; subject, qualification, college, course start and end dates.
  • A financial statement, i.e. your personal budget showing income and expenditure and any savings you have.

There is likely to be additional information you will wish to include depending on the trust.  Remember that trustees have discretion as to whom they pay, explain your circumstances fully to make it clear to the trustees how you fit their criteria.

Who do trusts help?

Each trust is usually set up to help a particular type of person.  You may be asked to state your age, where you were born/live, your religion, nationality, former occupation what type of course you are on, whether you receive any other funding etc. Trusts will expect you to have maximised any other funding options available to you, e.g. student loans, benefits etc.  If you don’t meet the trust’s personal criteria you will not be helped.

What will trusts help with?

Some Trust’s help with general living expenses to support students completing the last stages of a course, others will only help with course costs or fees.  A particular trust may help with a broad range of needs, but others may be very specific. There is no point in applying for a type of expense that the trust does not pay.  The trust information you have found should give you an indication of the maximum amount of assistance available. You are unlikely to be successful by asking for more than the trust can give. If your financial circumstances mean that you need far more help than the trust can give and you have no way of meeting the remaining shortfall there would be little point in the trust helping you.  Sometimes you may have to apply to several trusts for different expenses.

How can the University support you?

The Student Advice and Support Service (SASS) can help if you are not sure how to prepare an application to a charity or trust.  We do not generally recommend/sponsor an individual student’s application to trust or charities.

You can book an appointment to do this by phoning +44 (0) 1509 222765 or requesting an appointment online.

Last Updated: 16th November 2023