Guidelines on Awards to Individuals

Who can apply?

  • People who want to break through the barriers in their lives and life chances by pursuing technical or skill-based training which will improve their prospects of finding paid work.
  • Our funds are limited and we will prioritise applications from those who can demonstrate compelling need. The average grant is £1,000.
  • Applicants must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years, prior to the start of their course. They must also be aged 16 or over.
  • The Trustees are particularly interested in supporting people who are studying part-time, and those who can show they are investing in their plans for the future.

When to apply

  • College or other skills/technical courses – You can apply from January onwards, either for a course that starts later in the year or for a course on which you are already enrolled. Our closing date will be variable, as much depends on how many applications we receive. We will try to stay open until August but may need to close earlier if we have allocated all our grants. Keep an eye on our website for updates.
  • University courses (postgraduate or second degrees) – You can apply from January onwards for courses that start or re-commence in September/October. We will close to new applicants at the end of March or when the first 150 applications have been received, whichever is earlier.

How to apply

  • Read the guidelines to ensure that you meet the Trust’s criteria.
  • Complete our eligibility quiz. You will be invited to register at the end of this if we can consider your request.
  • Register to start your application.
  • Our website will auto-send you a registration email, with the application form and guidelines attached.
  • Read the guidelines carefully. You can complete and save your application form in your own time. Make sure you make a record of where you have saved your form, as we may ask you about it when assessing your case.
  • Return to the Thomas Wall Trust website and log back in.
  • Follow the instructions and upload your application.
  • Please do not email your application form directly to the Trust. It can only be considered if it is uploaded to the website.

What happens next?

  • We do not contact applicants to confirm receipt of their application. When you upload your application, you will see a message confirming it has uploaded.
  • We will contact you if we need more information.
  • Your application will be carefully considered by the Grants Administrator. If it is shortlisted, it will be sent to the Trustees for review.
  • The application process can take some time. Please be patient, as it may be a while before you hear from us.
  • You will be notified by email of the outcome of your application.

General advice

  • If you are eligible, we strongly advise you to register and complete your application at the earliest opportunity. Funds are limited and we sometimes have to close early due to high demand.
  • The current maximum grant amount is £1,000. It is unlikely that a grant will exceed this amount. We advise applicants to research fully all other sources of funding.
  • Grants are made solely at the Trustees’ discretion. Registering and submitting an application does not entitle you to a grant. Please bear in mind that the number of applications received is far greater than the number of grants awarded. Unfortunately this means that on average only one in ten applicants is successful.

Grants are not made:

  • To those undertaking a full-time first degree who qualify for a student loan
  • To people who already hold a postgraduate or professional qualification and who can still work in the field in which they are qualified
  • To those who have not been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of their course
  • For travel, study or work experience abroad
  • For elective periods or intercalated courses
  • For attending conferences
  • For research or study for higher degrees by research
  • For business start-up
  • For GCSEs or A Levels
  • To school children.

Possible exclusions

As well as promoting education, the Trust’s other charitable object is to relieve poverty. With limited funding available, Trustees need to ensure as far as possible that grants are not falling into the hands of those for whom they were never intended.

Unless they can show a compelling need for support, it is unlikely that applicants will be shortlisted if they are:

  • Currently earning an above average salary
  • From families with above average parental or partner earnings. Further information on parental income is required from all applicants under the age of 25.

Ready to take our eligibility quiz?

You have two options, depending on the level of your course.

For college or technical/skills-based training (eg, BTECs, NVQs, City & Guilds, Access courses)

For university courses (eg, second degrees, postgraduate training)

the Thomas Wall Trust Contact us at Louise Pooley [Grants Administrator]
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