Lawrence Atwell’s Charity Individuals Programme

Lawrence Atwell’s Charity is working with young people from low-income backgrounds, so that they can get qualifications that will help them find a job. We do this by giving grants for a broad range of different costs associated with studying. We regularly give funding for course fees, materials, travel costs, childcare and more. This means that if you want to study something so you can find work, but can’t afford to do this, we might be able to give you a grant to help.

Individuals Programme: Grants are available for young people living in England and Wales from low-income backgrounds, to help them gain vocational, accredited qualifications. We offer grants of up to £1,500 for people aged 16 to 26, to take courses (up to level 3) that will help them move into employment.

We operate a rolling programme for applications, which means you can apply at any time. We will usually start assessment within a week of you submitting the application.

We can consider you for funding if you are: *Aged 16 – 26 (on the date your course starts) *Living and studying in England and Wales *A British citizen, refugee with indefinite leave to remain, or have you lived in the UK for 3 years *Taking an accredited, vocational training course up to level 3. What qualification levels mean. From a low income household as follows

Household - Total Annual Income (after tax) *Single person household - £16,650 *Couple with no children - £24,850 *Single parent with one child - £21,000 *Single parent with two or more children - £28,300 *Couple with one child - £26,150 *Couple with two or more children - £35,750

*informed by Joseph Rowntree Foundation research into the Minimum Income Standard. Excludes childcare costs and the higher cost of living in London.

In addition to our criteria, we will consider certain priorities when the fund is experiencing high demand: *Fewer existing qualifications. *Little or no past working experience. *Lower income households.

We Don’t Fund *Any course that is not vocational or accredited. *Secondary education (including studying for GCSEs or A Levels – unless returning to education as an adult). *University or postgraduate degrees. *Individuals who already have a university or postgraduate degree. *A course at a private dance, drama or music college. *Courses for self-employed health & beauty, animal care, and personal fitness. *Overseas courses. *Asylum Seekers, or Refugees without indefinite leave to remain. *Debt, or costs already paid for.