The majority of the Foundation’s support for individuals is distributed each year through bursaries for undergraduate students studying at Queen Mary University, London. However, grants for students studying other courses or at other colleges or universities can sometimes be considered to individuals meeting the criteria outlined below.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to considered for a grant, individuals must be:
- under the age of 30 on the day their course or year of study begins, and
- permanently resident in London Borough of Tower Hamlets or the City of London for at least the past three years, and
- from a low income background, and
- studying full-time in Further, Higher or Postgraduate education on a course of at least one year in length that will result in the awarding of a recognised qualification.
Individuals from a refugee background are welcome to apply, as long as they have been granted either Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK or full Refugee status. Individuals with time limited leave to remain are not eligible to apply.
Purpose and Length of Grants
Grants can be made for education costs (books, equipment, travelling costs) maintenance (living costs) and/or payment of tuition fees.
Grants are normally made for one academic year at a time. For grants spanning more than one year, payments beyond the first academic year are conditional on receipt of end of year reports from the student’s college or university confirming that their attendance has been satisfactory and that they have successfully completed all exams and course work to enable them to progress into the next year.
Assessment Process
Each application is assessed by taking into account a range of information, including a student’s age, academic achievement, references, and financial circumstances. This helps the Foundation ensure it gives priority to those in the greatest financial need. Applicants are required to supply details of their and their family’s income and outgoings (unless they are officially estranged or in the care of Social Services).
Restrictions on colleges and courses
Grants are not normally given for courses at private colleges, fees at independent schools, or for short courses that are less than a year in length.
Grants are not made towards the costs of:
- Repeat years of study
- Study for a qualification at the same or a lower level than those an individual already possesses, even if the subject/s or module/s being studied are different
- Fees for Higher Education courses, unless they relate to second degrees and a Student Loan for fees is not available
- Medical Electives.
How to apply for a grant
Applications can be made at any time; there is no closing date but grants cannot be made retrospectively (i.e. for study that has already taken place).
If you think you are eligible and would like to make an application please write to Mr Richard Foley, Chief Executive to the Governors, at the address below telling us your name, address, phone number, email address, age, course, how long you have lived in the City of London or Tower Hamlets, how you heard about the Foundation, and what you need a grant for.
If appropriate, we will then send you an application form to complete and return.
Enquiries
If, having read these guidelines, you are not sure whether or not you are eligible or have any questions, please telephone 020 7488 2489 for advice or email us at aldgateandallhallows@portaltrust.org