Student Grants Scheme

The Leathersellers’ Company Charitable Fund aims to support students in real financial need which may be preventing their excellence and talent from shining through. We support students who want to contribute to society in a positive way, whose energy and commitment ensures they will study hard for the career they want.

We particularly encourage applications from students with limited family support networks, care leavers and refugees.

We now award Student Grants of up to £5,000 a year, for a maximum of 4 years, to study full-time for a degree at a UK University. Please see our criteria below for further information.

Applying

Applications are now closed and will re-open in April 2020.

  • We can only accept applications made via our on-line form which is quick and easy to use.
  • You don’t need to complete the application all at once –  so long as you register with us you can save your progress and sign back in anytime.
  • We notify all applicants via email on the outcome of their application.

  • UK students already enrolled or with an offer to begin a full-time degree course at a UK University are eligible to apply.
  • Students of any nationality who can show a commitment to the UK, such as permanent residence, previous secondary educational record, family ties, are eligible to apply.
  • We may sometimes prioritise exceptional students from the Greater London area, but we do accept applications from students from any part of the UK.
  • Students from the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools are encouraged to apply, as are scholars from Colfe’s School.
  • Students of engineering or subjects connected with the leather trade, including fashion students who work with leather, are encouraged to apply.
  • We may also consider full / part-time courses that are not degrees but lead to nationally recognised qualifications. However, you will need to show how gaining this qualification would significantly improve your future employability/career prospects. Funding cannot be given in support of one-year professional conversion courses.
  • A maximum award of £5,000 per year is available, subject to annual review, for a maximum of 4 years.

The top award for outstanding students is £5,000 per year for up to four years, subject to an annual financial review.

A good overall application should put forward a strong case academically, in terms of personal circumstance, and  career ambition, as to why you feel you should be considered for an award above other candidates.

Your application  should clearly state your own efforts to apply for and raise the money you need to cover your course costs and living expenses. This may include applying for other grants & loans, working part time or getting help from your family if possible.

Your personal statement is the place to explain your reasons for your chosen course and how this will enable you to further your career path and gain employment. This is where your passion and commitment should be displayed.

Interviews will take place at Leathersellers’ Hall, 7 St Helen’s Place, Bishopsgate in London.

We notify all applicants of the outcome of their application, whether you have been shortlisted for an interview or not. So, unless your e-mail address changes, there is no need for you to do anything else once you have completed your application. Even if you are not asked to an interview you may still be awarded a grant.

If you are thinking of applying, please read through all our criteria and guidelines on these pages for help and hints.

References will be required for all applications and are an important part of the assessment.

Ensure your referee is familiar with your chosen career path and can tell us about your academic and non-academic qualities.