Sir William Boreman’s Foundation - Sir William Boreman’s Foundation

Sir William Boreman's Foundation grant

You will receive a hardship grant of up to about 3,450 EUR per year (up to £3,000) to cover the running costs of your studies. The money is intended to cover rent and food, travel to college or university, books, equipment and childcare. If your course lasts two or three years, you can reapply for the grant each year, meaning support is provided for the entire duration of your studies, up to three years. The grant is provided by the Sir William Boreman’s Foundation, which is administered by the Drapers’ Company in London. Each year, it awards approximately £90,000 to young people from low-income backgrounds in Greenwich and Lewisham. Tuition fees are not covered by the grant.

Who can apply

• Where you live: You must have lived in the London boroughs of Greenwich or Lewisham for at least five years prior to the start of your degree course. A stay there solely for the purpose of studying does not count.
• Age: You are under 25.
• Nationality: You are a British national or have ‘Settled Status’, which means there is no limit on the length of your stay in the United Kingdom.
• Course: You are studying full-time or part-time at a British college or university at level 4 or above (further education, undergraduate or postgraduate study). Study abroad is not covered, and online students at the University of Greenwich are not eligible to apply.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Financial need: Your household’s gross income is 30,000 GBP per year or less.
• Other funding first: You have already applied for the loans, grants and financial assistance to which you are entitled, such as a loan to cover tuition fees, a living costs loan or your university’s hardship fund.
• Postgraduate grades: If you are a postgraduate student, you must have completed your bachelor’s degree with a result better than ‘Lower Second Class’ (2:2).

How to apply

Please send the application form and your supporting documents to the Drapers’ Company by email or post. The Board members make their decisions at meetings in November, February and June; your application must be received at least three weeks in advance. The following deadlines apply for 2026/27: 29 September 2026, 12 January 2027 and 11 May 2027. An application with a May deadline will be considered for the next academic year, not the current one. You should therefore apply for the November or February meeting if you require funding this year.

How realistic are your chances?

This grant is very strictly targeted: you must have lived in Greenwich or Lewisham for five years, be under 25 years of age, and have a household income of 30,000 GBP or less. Very few people meet these criteria. If you clearly meet these conditions and can prove financial need, your chances are good. It is better to book an appointment in the spring rather than in May, as late applications will not be considered until the following year.