Educational trust funds and charities can help with the costs of learning and may include fees, books or equipment. There are lots of them. Each one has its own rules for allocating money, as well as its own application procedure. Funds are usually limited, so you should apply as soon as possible.
There are lots of ways to find out more: You may find it useful to check :
- Directory of Grant Making Trusts published by the Charities Aid Foundation,
- Grants Register published by Palgrave McMillan,
- The Educational Grants Advisory Service (http://www.egas-online.org) or on 020 7254 6251 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. only.
The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) also maintains a Register of Educational Endowments containing information on known Scottish trusts. You can only get help from a trust if you meet the eligibility conditions of that trust. The conditions vary from trust to trust, and only the trustees can decide if you are eligible. For instance, conditions can relate to:
- where you live or were born;
- what schools you went to;
- your age;
- the course you are taking; and
- the college or university you go to.
Only the trustees can decide whether to accept or refuse your application. Most trusts say that the people applying must be Scottish, or be planning to study at an institution in Scotland.
SAAS will search the register for you if you fill in and send them an enquiry form REE1. After they have searched the register for you, they will send you the names and addresses of any trusts to which you may be able to apply for help. You should then apply straight to the trusts.
Sponsorships and scholarships
You may also want to visit the website at www.scholarship-search.org.uk. to look at the database of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship awards that academic institutions, commercial organisations and charitable trusts offer.
Many industrial organisations and some government departments have schemes (usually competitive) for supporting students. You may be able to get details of these from your local Jobcentre. Income from sponsorship, scholarships and other sources of unearned income will affect your support.