Looking for funding to complete your course?
While we don’t offer funding directly at the moment, we can point you in the direction of a few providers who you can get in touch with to find out more!
Princes Trust – The Development Award
The Princes Trust offers support to students in a number of ways if they are aged 16-30 and are looking for funding to towards education, training or employment.
They provide funding between £150-£250 to put towards course(s) and or tools/equipment. Only courses Level 3 or below can be funded with this grant – which all of our courses are.
The grant cannot be used towards any courses exceeding £500, living expenses, costs that have already been paid for, courses higher than a level 3, or business start-up costs.
To be eligible you must be 16-30 and living in the UK, struggling to access education, work or training due to lack of funds. Also, must no longer be in compulsory education or studying less than 14hrs per week.
Each application is assessed on a case by case basis, and so funding is not guaranteed. In completion of the pre-application, the grant can take 6-8 weeks to process.
If you would like to apply, you need to provide the exact cost of what you are looking to apply for, where the items would be purchased from and the name of the course provider.
You can apply by calling 0800 842 842 or visit www.princes-trust.org.uk for more information.
Princes Trust – Enterprise Programme
The Princes Trust also offer lots of support for people starting up their own business. People aged 18-30 looking to start up a new business, or to go self-employed can access this programme.
The programme consists of an initial information session, whereby the programme is discussed, and information is given out about the programme.
You would then take part in a 2-4 day virtual workshop where you would receive guidance on creating a business plan, taxes, legal structures and budgeting etc. This would then link you to your own personal business mentor, whereby you can receive 1-2-1 support for the next 2 years, as and when you need it.
In some cases, a grant of £250 can be awarded to the applicant to help towards the start up costs of a business. They also work with Start up Loan companies who can offer up to £25,000 in low interest loans.
To be eligible you must be 18-30 and living in the UK, have access to a laptop/mobile device for the virtual sessions, starting a new business that has been trading less than 2 years, and have time available to attend the virtual workshop.
If you would be interested in signing up for this programme, you can call 0800 842 842 or visit www.princes-trust.org.uk for more information.
The Skinners Company - Lawrence Atwell Charity Individuals Programme
Grants available for young people living in England and Wales from low-income backgrounds to help them gain vocational, accredited courses.
They offer grants up to £1,500 for people aged 16-26, to take courses up to level 3 that will help them move into employment. Funding can be used for course fees, equipment/materials, travel costs, childcare and living costs.
To be eligible you must be aged 16-26 on the date that you start your course, living in England or Wales, a British citizen or have indefinite leave to remain in the UK. You must also be taking an accredited course up to level 3, and from a low-income household as follows.
Household Total Annual Income (after tax)
Single person £16,650
Couple with no children £24,850
Single parent with one child £21,000
Single parent with 2 or more children £28,300
Couple with one child £26,150
Couple with 2 or more children £35,750
They will also prioritise applications from people with fewer existing qualifications, little or no past work experience and lower income households.
They will not fund any courses that are not accredited, secondary education (GCSE or A Levels), university degrees, individuals that already have degrees, courses for self-employed workers, debt or costs already applied for.
So, this charity will not fund students looking to start their own self-employed business but will help assist anyone looking to be trained in order to be employed in a salon.
You can apply for this funding by completing their online eligibility quiz on www.atwellcharity.org.uk/form1. Once this is completed, you will be directed to the online application form if you are eligible to apply. You can contact the charity on 020 7213 0561 or via atwell@skinners.org.uk for more information.
Other options
Job Centre – you can get in touch with your local job centre, as some have been known to provide help via the New Deal Scheme.
Local Charities – check your local charitable organisations, as they may have more information about some potential funding schemes.