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Education and learning
Grants and bursaries for adult learners
Depending on your circumstances and the course you’re doing, you may be able to get financial help through a grant. Grants don’t have to be paid back. Bursaries are similar to grants but are usually linked to a particular career or type of course - like Dance and Drama Awards or residential bursaries.
Grants
Adult Learning Grant (ALG)
You could be eligible for up to £30 a week towards your learning costs through the Adult Learning Grant.
Educational Grants Advisory Service
Some charities and trusts offer financial help, but their eligibility rules vary. The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) provides information and advice on sources of funding through their Directory, helpline and website.
General Federation of Trades Unions
The General Federation of Trades Unions Educational Trust has grants for full-time and Open University students of specific subjects within economic theory and history, industrial law, history and the principles of industrial relations.
Useful publications
You can also check:
- the Educational Grants Directory (published by the Directory of Social Change)
- the Charities Digest (Waterlow Information Services)
- the Grants Register (Macmillan Press)
- the Directory of Grant Making Trusts (Charities Aid Foundation)
These publications should be available in your local library.
Bursaries
Bursaries are similar to grants - but they’re usually linked to a certain career, qualification or type of course.
Dance and Drama Awards
Dance and Drama Awards are scholarships funded by the Learning and Skills Council to help with fees for approved courses and living costs.
Support if you're studying away from home
If you need to study away from home because the course you want to do isn’t available locally, you may be able to get help with the cost of your term-time accommodation.
City & Guilds
City & Guilds offer a small number of bursaries each year to people who would like to study for a City & Guilds qualification. The bursaries can be used for costs like course fees, learning materials, childcare or travel. Applications are considered in June and December each year.
Grants and bursaries for higher education courses
If you’re doing a higher education course, the package of financial help available may include grants and bursaries as well as Student Loans.
You may qualify for an additional bursary if you’re doing a higher education qualification in social work, medicine or certain areas of healthcare - or a course of postgraduate Initial Teacher Training.
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