Wheatley Foundation Bursary

Wheatley Foundation Bursary

You get a grant of up to about EUR 1,700 per year (up to £1,500) if you study full time, or up to about EUR 850 per year (up to £750) if you study part time. It is paid in four instalments across the academic year and you never pay it back. Support can run for up to two years. You can spend the money on books, equipment, travel, course fees, childcare or other living costs that help you finish your course. The grant comes from the Wheatley Foundation, the charity of Scotland's largest social housing provider. It does not affect your student funding (SAAS) or housing benefit. Some recipients also get optional job help, such as CV support and paid internships.

Who can apply

• Where you live: You rent a home from a Wheatley social landlord (Wheatley Homes Glasgow, Wheatley Homes East, Wheatley Homes South or Loretto Housing), or you rent from or have a home managed by Lowther. These cover Central and Southern Scotland.
• Your course: You have applied for or are taking an HNC, HND, an undergraduate degree, or a one-year postgraduate course (no higher than Level 11 on the Scottish framework). HNC and HND are Scottish college qualifications below degree level.
• Financial need: You show your income and any other funding, so the Foundation can see who most needs the support.
• One application only: You can apply just once. There are no repeat applications.
• Extra weight: Young carers, people with care experience and single parents get particular consideration.

How to apply

The programme opens once a year (in 2026 it ran from 18 May to 30 June). You apply online or by email to the Foundation. Include a personal statement about your goals and how the bursary would help. Only a limited number of bursaries are awarded, and Foundation staff assess applications against set criteria.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is cut narrowly: you must rent from a specific set of Scottish social landlords, which keeps the eligible group small. Numbers are limited and need is weighed, so a clear case showing financial pressure and real career goals stands out. If you fit the tenancy rule and apply as soon as the window opens, your prospects are solid, especially as a young carer, single parent or someone with care experience.