Applying for Funding from an Educational Charity

There are a range of education charities and trusts that offer grants and other awards. These grants and awards are for a wide range of uses and purposes, typically which help individuals get into education and to be able to afford to continue studying, whatever their background or circumstances.

What Can Educational Charity Money be Used For?

Various charities offer educational grants and awards for a wide range of purposes and to individuals at all stages of education, for example:

• Educational charity funding is available to help parents pay for private school fees.
• Charities may provide money for books, uniforms and expenses such as school trips.
• Some educational charities fund parents who can’t pay school fees in the short-term.
• Funding is often available for those who are studying and facing financial hardship.
• Awards may be available for the education of young people facing emotional, social or health problems.
• Charities sometimes offer money towards university fees and expenses.
• Awards are available for home, EU and international students.

Finding Out About Educational Charities

There are various websites and books which provide up-to-date information on the latest grants, bursaries and awards available.

The main websites are Support4Learning, Educational Grants Advisory Service and HotCourses.

Universities, schools and colleges may also be able to advise on relevant charity awards.

Educational Charities: Points to Remember

• Educational charity grants often have very specific criteria and applications must prove that this criteria has been met.
• Bear in mind that charities can usually only provide partial funding or one-off funding. For example an educational charity will not typically pay all tuition fees, but rather a contribution.
• If an educational charity is paying a contribution towards fees or other expenses, the award will usually be dependent on proof that the student or parent has secured the rest of the funding necessary.
• Educational charities will normally require evidence that other sources of funding have been pursued.

Applying to Educational Charities

Sometimes educational charities have a set application procedure for applying for grants and other funding. Obviously this needs to be adhered to closely. Other educational charities have no fixed application procedures and accept speculative enquiries.

When writing to educational charities to enquire about funding, write briefly with the following information:

• Your name, age and address
• Details of your study
• Your place of birth
• What you require money for
• How much money you estimate you need and how you have worked this out
• Details of your financial difficulties
• Contact details for a reference who can verify your information

You should always check first if eligibility criteria is available on the educational charity’s website before sending a letter.

Tips on Applying to Educational Charities

• Make sure you adhere strictly to any deadlines.
• Include details of any other funding you have applied for and any funds you have received.
• Type applications if possible and make sure they are well proofread before submission.
• Tailor your application to individual charities. For example, if a charity aims to help those working within a certain profession, explain your commitment to that profession and how the money will benefit you.
• Present a factual application. Avoid being over emotional.

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