Grants and Advocacy
Applications for the new academic year starting September 2024 are now closed.
Applications for the new academic year starting September 2024 are now closed.
The Grants and Advocacy Programme supports young people with insecure immigration status in the UK to access and complete higher and further education through the provision of small bursaries and tailored advocacy support.
Our youth-led approach to grant-making puts those with lived experience at the heart of our decision-making processes. All awards are made in collaboration with previous grant holders, thereby providing space for young people to utilise their skills and experiences to support others to pursue their dreams, regardless of their status.
We aim to support refugees, asylum-seekers, and undocumented young people to complete their education by providing grants of up to £4,500 to those who have no access to government funds, or to those who are facing extreme financial hardship. We can provide grants towards:
Young people who receive a grant will also have the opportunity to access tailored advice and one-to-one support from Hope for the Young throughout their studies.
Our Grants and Advocacy Manager will be there to answer questions, signpost grant holders to new opportunities and services, and advocate on their behalf if they are facing difficulties. They will also discuss all the ways in which they can get involved in Hope for the Young’s work.
Applications for the new academic year starting September 2024 are now closed.
We need an application form to be completed by an education or welfare organisation on behalf of the young person seeking support (e.g. a Teacher or Support Worker).
In exceptional circumstances we will consider a self-referral from a young person, if they do not have anyone who can complete the application on their behalf. However, they will need to include the contact details of someone who has agreed to provide a professional reference in support of their application.
If you require further details or need help completing this form – please contact us at ef@hopefortheyoung.org.uk
Please note, incomplete applications cannot be processed therefore please ensure that all sections on the application form are completed in as much detail as possible.
We will also need proof of the young person’s immigration status e.g. Home Office document or a letter from a solicitor. Applications will not be accepted without this evidence so please make sure that the person submitting the application has a copy of this before making the application.
As we are a small charity our funds are extremely limited. Our maximum grant is £4,500, however, most grants awarded will be smaller than this. Therefore, we will not be able to fund university tuition fees in full.
If you are seeking support for your tuition fees it is important that you also apply to other charities and can clearly demonstrate how you plan to meet the full costs of studying throughout the academic year. As part of your application we will require the names of the organisations and the amounts you have applied for.
You can find a list of other charities that you may be able to apply to on Refugee Education UK’s website HERE.
Both you and your referrer will receive an automatic email letting you know that we’ve received your application and supporting documents.
Our Grants and Advocacy Manager might get in touch with you and/or your referrer to ask for more information or relevant documentation.
We will assess your application and decide whether we can shortlist it to be discussed at one of our funding panels. If we are unable to shortlist your application on this occasion, we will let you know by the end of May.
If your application is shortlisted, it will be discussed during one of our funding panels made up of Hope for the Young’s past grant recipients, staff, and trustees. We aim to notify all applicants on the outcome of their application by the end of June.
We will get in touch to inform you that your application has been successful, subject to your college/university place being accepted and/or you have secured the additional funds required.
We will agree a payment plan and discuss future communication requirements with you and/or your referrer/education institute. We will then ask you to sign and return a grant agreement form.
The money will then be transferred in line with the agreement – (tuition fees are paid directly to the college/university. Other payments are paid monthly, and continuation of grant payments are conditional on good attendance).
You will be invited to attend an introductory meeting with our Grants and Advocacy Manager who will welcome you to Hope for the Young and explain how we can further support you with your goals (this could be in person or online).
Our Grants and Advocacy Manager will be there during your studies to answer questions, signpost you to opportunities and services, and advocate on your behalf if you are facing difficulties. They will also discuss ways in which you can get involved in Hope for the Young’s work.
At the end of the year we will ask you to complete an evaluation form to help us learn from your experiences and understand the impact the Grants and Advocacy Programme has had.
Yes, if you are:
Yes, you can still apply. However, if you receive the maximum student loan, your application will not be prioritised.
No. Hope for the Young does not support international students or those living outside of the UK.
Some British universities offer scholarships to international students. You can find out more about how to apply to British universities and fund your course on the UKCISA website.
No. Unfortunately, if you are a refugee or asylum-seeker living outside of the UK you are not able to apply.
If you are an asylum seeker or refugee living outside of the UK, some British universities offer scholarships to international students. You can find out more about how to apply to British universities and fund your course on the UKCISA website.
Applications are only open to young people between the ages of 16 to 28 years old.
We take into consideration the age you will be on 1st September, and not the age you are when submitting your application.
No. Hope for the Young supports refugee or asylum-seeking individuals only.
All applications must be made via our online application form. The application form should be completed by a referrer on your behalf.
All sections of the application must be completed in full before you submit, and you must include proof of your immigration status.
Please click here to access our application form.
Someone from an education or welfare organisation (e.g. a teacher, lecturer, Support Worker) or appropriate youth professional known to you (e.g. case worker, mentor, youth worker, pastor).
They should NOT be a friend or family member.
Yes, if you do not have anyone who can complete the application on your behalf, we can accept a self-referral.
However, you will need to include the contact details of someone who has agreed to provide a reference in support of your application – this should NOT be a friend or family member. Applications will not be assessed if these details are not included.
If you self-refer, you must still submit a full and detailed application form and provide proof of your immigration status.
You can apply for a a contribution towards tuition fees, transport costs, exam fees, and general study costs.
We offer grants for publicly funded courses in the UK, from basic qualifications (Entry Level) up to an undergraduate degree (Level 6 qualification). We do not fund private courses or examinations offered by private institutions, nor do we support resits or GCSEs studied privately.
Please note, we do not provide funds for laptops, mobile phones or IT software.
No. Unfortunately, Hope for the Young is only able to support students looking to study up to their first undergraduate degree.
No. Unfortunately, Hope for the Young only supports up to undergraduate level.
You can find details of how to fund postgraduate studies on the Displaced Student Opportunities Portal.
Our maximum grant is £4,500. However, most grants awarded will be smaller than this. It is important that you consider all the associated costs of studying and can clearly show how you plan to meet these costs.
If you are seeking support, it is important that you also apply to other charities and can clearly demonstrate how you plan to meet the full costs of studying throughout the academic year. As part of your application, we will require the names of the organisations and the amounts you have applied for.
You can find a list of other charities that you may be able to apply to on Refugee Education UK’s website.
Please note, we do not provide funds for laptops, mobile phones or IT software.
No. The fund is open for applications starting or continuing from 1 September 2024 for England & Wales and 1st August 2024 for Scotland.
Both you and your referrer will receive an automatic email letting you know that we’ve received your application and supporting documents.
Our Grants and Advocacy Coordinator might get in touch with you and/or your referrer to ask for more information or relevant documentation.
We will assess your application between April and May and decide whether we can shortlist it to be discussed at one of our funding panels. If we are unable to shortlist your application on this occasion, we will let you know by the end of May.
If your application has been shortlisted, we may contact you in May for more information and your application will be discussed during one of our funding panels made up of Hope for the Young’s past grant recipients, staff, and trustees.
If your application has not been shortlisted on this occasion, we will let you know by the end of May.
We aim to notify all applicants on the outcome of their application by the end of June.
No, there is no advantage in rushing to submit your application early.
All applications are assessed throughout April and May, with all candidates notified by the end of June. It is important to spend time completing the application correctly and in full. Please note, incomplete applications will not be processed!
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