Funding from charities and trusts

You can find information about trusts and charities that offer educational funding from the Hotcourses Scholarship Search website.

You might find the following books useful:

• Educational Grants Directory (published by the Directory of Social Change);
• The Charities Digest (published by Family Welfare Enterprises Ltd); or
• The Grants Register (published by Macmillan).

How do I apply?

The first step is to write to your chosen trust or charity giving a summary of your situation. If you fit its funding criteria, the organisation will then send you its own application form.

You should include the following details in your letter:

• the title and starting year of your course;
• your age and place of birth;
• brief details of your previous studies;
• a brief explanation of your financial difficulties and why you're applying;
• your estimated financial requirements; and
• how your studies will benefit yourself or others.

Make sure your letter is well presented. You might also need to get a reference from your course tutor or the Student Life Centre, so make sure they'll support your application.