The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust

What you get

You receive £500 to £3,000 per year (about 580 to 3,450 EUR) towards the cost of your bachelor's degree. The exact figure depends on your household income and the money available that year. You can use it for tuition and exam fees, rent, everyday living costs, travel, and study materials or equipment. The award runs for every year of your degree without a new application. You just need to stay full time on the same course, pass each year, and keep your finances roughly the same. The money goes to your university, which then passes it to you. The trust supports students linked to the grocery, pharmacy and commercial travelling trades.

Who can apply

• Residence: You live in the UK.
• Degree: You are undertaking a full-time first-degree Bachelor’s programme at a recognised British university or higher education institution. Distance-learning programmes are not eligible. Certain institutions are excluded: the University of Law, Middlesex University, the Open University and BPP (with the exception of tuition fees).
• Trade link: You, or a parent, step-parent, guardian or spouse, have worked in one of three UK trades for at least 5 years in a row. These are: food retail (shops, wholesalers, suppliers, convenience stores, but not office or management roles); community pharmacy (pharmacist, pharmacy technician, dispenser or assistant, registered with the GPhC or PSNI where required); or commercial travelling (a sales rep who travels the UK selling to businesses).
• Field of study: Open to all disciplines.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they live in the United Kingdom.
• Financial need: Your household income must be below £90,000. Priority is given to households with an income below £50,000, and, in particular, below £30,000.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the Foundation’s funding system. By the cut-off date, you must already be enrolled at a higher education institution or be due to commence your studies in September or October. The application deadline is 1 October, 5 p.m.. The trustees will reach a decision within four to six weeks; their decision is final.