Grants to individuals
Sir Walter St John’s Educational Charity sets aside a small amount of funding each year to support a few individual students in exceptional circumstances. Grants are awarded to cover expenditure necessary for attendance on the course, such as registration fees, travel, books or equipment. Funding is not usually given towards the cost of a computer or laptop. Maintenance grants are not available.

Eligibility

i. FE Students aged 16 to 25
The normal upper limits are £500 for students aged 16 to 18 and £750 for students aged 19 to 24.

ii. Further Education Students aged 16 to 25 Lone Parents
FE students over 16 who are lone parents and in receipt of benefit may apply for a grant towards expenditure on childcare up to £1,500.

iii. Students on Foundation or Access Courses in Art, Dance and Drama
In exceptional circumstances, grants above the normal maximum (up to £1,500) may be awarded to support students on designated Foundation or Access courses in Art, Dance or Drama, who have good prospects of progressing to HE after a year of study.

iv. Disabled Students
Trustees will consider applications from disabled pupils and students to meet additional education/training expenditure incurred.

v. Students Affected by Unforeseen Circumstances
Consideration is given to meeting needs arising from sudden and unforeseen changes in a student’s circumstances which would otherwise prevent them from continuing with their course.

vi. Students on Degree Courses
In exceptional circumstances, grants of up to £1,500/£1,800 may be made to students on degree courses. Grants are not made to students for postgraduate study or second degree courses. Full-time students on degree courses must have applied for a Student Loan and for a grant from the college’s Access to Learning Fund before their application will be considered.

Students on degree courses eligible for an award are expected to fall into one or more of the following categories:

  • Care leavers
  • Final year students affected by unforeseen circumstances
  • Students who are unable to work to supplement their loans and grants
  • Lone parents
  • Students not eligible for a student loan who have a part-time job or are in receipt of benefit
  • In exceptional circumstances, students who lose their eligibility to support because they have failed in their previous year’s studies.


Conditions

The following conditions apply to the Charity’s grant-giving for individuals:
  • Applicants for student grants must be under 25 and must have been permanently resident in Wandsworth or Lambeth for at least six months.
  • Grants are not normally made to school pupils under 16 or to full-time students on university degree courses.
  • Grants will not normally be awarded to students aged 16 to 19 who are eligible to receive Education Maintenance Allowances from their Local Authority.
  • Grants will be awarded only to students who are following a validated, approved or recognised course.
  • Applicants must provide evidence that they have a good prospect of successfully completing the course on which they are being supported.
  • The award of a grant should have a critical effect on the grant-holder’s opportunity to study.
Sir Walter St John's Educational Charity Copyright 2010