In addition to Sanctuary scholarships for university or student loans (loans are only for refugees) there are other sources of finance for students taking Higher or Further Education courses.

​They are for differing amounts, some small, some larger, and each has its own restrictions and application process, for example some are for those studying a particular subject.

Turn 2 Us is a grant search tool which allows students to enter their postcode to access information on grants they could apply for. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/apply-for-grants

Refugee Education UK | Education Funding Options (reuk.org)  is a useful organisation that lists many of the grant possibilities. 

Individual grant and bursary giving organisations

Hope for the Young
Hope for the Young (up to £4,500) open to those aged 16 – 28. Grants are awarded in April.

The Black Heart Scholars Programme
Grants of different sizes awarded twice a year. Can fund any type of education.
ttps://blackheartfoundation.org/scholarship-programme/

COSARAF https://www.cosaraf.org/hardship-application/
This fund awards grants to undergraduate Muslim home students in significant financial need, particularly those suffering unexpected hardship. Grants can be made up to £2,000 per annum, but most are between £500-£1,000. Grants are processed on an annual basis (in October).

Helena Kennedy Foundation (HKF) https://www.hkf.org.uk/
Financial support, usually in the form of a £2,250 bursary provided in instalments during your time in higher education.  Most students who make a successful application to the Foundation will receive a bursary but they also offer some scholarships, in partnership with individual universities, which may be offered instead of a bursary award.  

National Zakat Foundation
National Zakat Foundation - UK Zakat Charity (nzf.org.uk) (if you follow Islam). Must be over 18
The National Zakat Foundation Education Fund provides grants for education and training to help Muslims who can demonstrate a high level of commitment to community service, to help them to better serve Islam and Muslims in the UK. Grants can be made of up to £10,000 per year, but the amount made available depends on financial circumstances and the course selected to complete, up to £10,000 per year.

Ruth Hayman Trust, give small grants twice a year, October and January. Good for help with ESOL, exam fees, textbooks. https://www.ruthhaymantrust.org.uk/

The Heinz Anna and Carol Kroch Foundation https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/87223
PO Box 327, Hampton, London TW12 9DD. Email: [email protected]
Small grants only £100 to £300 but do not provide funding for educational travel purposes. Applications through local authorities

The Gustav Adolph & Ernest Koettgen Memorial Fund
https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-gustav-adolph-ernest-koettgen-memorial-fund-14476?iframe=False&postcode=nr47tq
Provide grants to students aged 14 and over who are on a further education course at a college which is affiliated with the Family Action Educational Grants Service. Grants may be given to pay for "additional costs" such as clothing and/or equipment required for the course, travel, examination costs, computers or laptops.
Applicants must meet all the following criteria:

• Be studying at an organisation affiliated to Family Action’s Educational Grants Service.
• Be studying on a further education course, including pre-access and access.
• On a low income (primarily in receipt of benefits). This includes low waged applicants
• Have right of residency in the UK or be an asylum seeker (we cannot give grants to oversees students)
• Be 14 years of age or over.
• There are currently no restrictions on the subject of study but preference will be given to those studying a “commercial subject” (e.g. IT, bookkeeping, accounting, etc.).

Applications through the College October to June each year.

Schwab Westheimer Charitable Trust – small grants, up to £2,000, applicants can apply direct or someone on their behalf. Also, several scholarships available for funding university places
https://www.swtrust.org.uk/
You can make an application to the Trust via the website, there is a form for small grants. The application will go to the Trustees for their consideration. https://www.swtrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant.html

Fenton Trust for artists at the beginning of their career.
https://www.fentonartstrust.org.uk/application-for-funding/

Refuaid
https://refuaid.org/
Provides loans of up to £10,000 for refugees. Also offers support in language and employment.



 
Page last updated May 2025