Grants and Advocacy Programme

Grants and Advocacy Programme is sponsored by Hope for the Young. Supports young people with insecure immigration status in the UK to access and complete higher and further education through small bursaries and tailored advocacy support.

Grants and Advocacy - Hope for the Young The Grants and Advocacy Programme will not be opening for external applications in Spring 2026. The Grants and Advocacy Programme supports young people with insecure immigration status in the UK to access and complete higher and further education through the provision of small bursaries and tailored advocacy support.

Our youth-led approach to grant-making puts those with lived experience at the heart of our decision-making processes. All awards are made in collaboration with previous grant holders, thereby providing space for young people to utilise their skills and experiences to support others to pursue their dreams, regardless of their status.

We aim to support refugees, asylum-seekers, and undocumented young people to complete their education by providing grants of up to £4,500 to those who have no access to government funds, or to those who are facing extreme financial hardship. We can provide grants towards: Young people who receive a grant will also have the opportunity to access tailored advice and one-to-one support from Hope for the Young throughout their studies.

Our Grants and Advocacy Manager will be there to answer questions, signpost grant holders to new opportunities and services, and advocate on their behalf if they are facing difficulties. They will also discuss all the ways in which they can get involved in Hope for the Young’s work. We provide grants for young people: between the ages of 16 – 28.

who are in or would like to access school, college or university. studying up to their first undergraduate university degree. subject to immigration control with no access to student finance (e.g. asylum-seekers, undocumented young people, survivors of modern-day slavery and trafficking).

refugees and those granted leave to remain in the UK but cannot meet their financial requirements for accessing or continuing their education. We do not provide financial support for: professional qualifications. international students or those with study visas.

private education courses. those who have exhausted their appeals and are unlikely to remain in the UK to complete their education. contributions towards tuition fees where the university is charging the overseas rate.

funds for laptops, mobile phones or IT software. The Grants and Advocacy Programme will not be opening for external applications in Spring 2026. We need a referral to be completed by an education or welfare organisation on behalf of the young person seeking support (e.g. a Teacher or Support Worker).

In exceptional circumstances we will consider a self-referral from a young person, if they do not have anyone who can complete the application on their behalf. However, they will need to include the contact details of someone who has agreed to provide a professional reference in support of their application. If you require further details or need help completing this form – please contact us at ef@hopefortheyoung.

org. uk Please note, incomplete applications cannot be processed therefore please ensure that all sections on the application form are completed in as much detail as possible. We will also need proof of the young person’s immigration status e.g. Home Office document or a letter from a solicitor.

Applications will not be accepted without this evidence so please make sure that the person submitting the application has a copy of this before making the application. As we are a small charity our funds are extremely limited. Our maximum grant is £4,500, however, most grants awarded will be smaller than this.

Therefore, we will not be able to fund university tuition fees in full. If you are seeking support for your tuition fees it is important that you also apply to other charities and can clearly demonstrate how you plan to meet the full costs of studying throughout the academic year. As part of your application we will require the names of the organisations and the amounts you have applied for.

You can find a list of other charities that you may be able to apply to on Refugee Education UK’s website HERE. What happens after I have applied? What happens if I am successful?

Both you and your referrer will receive an automatic email letting you know that we’ve received your application and supporting documents. Our Grants and Advocacy Manager might get in touch with you and/or your referrer to ask for more information or relevant documentation. We will assess your application and decide whether we can shortlist it to be discussed at one of our funding panels.

If we are unable to shortlist your application on this occasion, we will aim to notify applicants within a month. Applications for our Grants and Advocacy Programme will re-open in Spring 2026. If your application is shortlisted, it will be discussed during one of our funding panels made up of Hope for the Young’s past grant recipients, staff, and trustees.

We aim to notify all applicants on the outcome of their application within the month. Applications for our Grants and Advocacy Programme will re-open in Spring 2026. We will get in touch to inform you that your application has been successful, subject to your college/university place being accepted and/or you have secured the additional funds required.

We will agree a payment plan and discuss future communication requirements with you and/or your referrer/education institute. We will then ask you to sign and return a grant agreement form. The money will then be transferred in line with the agreement – (tuition fees are paid directly to the college/university.

Other payments are paid monthly, and continuation of grant payments are conditional on good attendance). You will be invited to attend an introductory meeting with our Grants and Advocacy Manager who will welcome you to Hope for the Young and explain how we can further support you with your goals (this could be in person or online).

Our Grants and Advocacy Manager will be there during your studies to answer questions, signpost you to opportunities and services, and advocate on your behalf if you are facing difficulties. They will also discuss ways in which you can get involved in Hope for the Young’s work.

At the end of the year we will ask you to complete an evaluation form to help us learn from your experiences and understand the impact the Grants and Advocacy Programme has had. For further details about the Grants and Advocacy Programme, please contact our Grants and Advocacy Manager via ef@hopefortheyoung. org.

uk or 07448 155126 (please note, their working hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am – 5. 30pm.) A refugee or have been granted Limited Leave to Remain or some other form of temporary status such as Calais Leave, Discretionary Leave to Remain, Section 67 Leave, or UASC Leave.

Or are subject to immigration control with no access to Student Finance. This includes asylum-seekers, undocumented young people, and survivors of modern-day slavery and trafficking. I am a refugee and eligible for Student Finance.

Can I still apply? Yes, you can still apply. However, if you receive the maximum student loan, your application will not be prioritised.

I'm an international student. Can I apply? No. Hope for the Young does not support international students or those living outside of the UK.

Some British universities offer scholarships to international students. You can find out more about how to apply to British universities and fund your course on the UKCISA website . Can I apply if I am refugee or asylum-seeker living outside of the UK?

No. Unfortunately, if you are a refugee or asylum-seeker living outside of the UK you are not able to apply. If you are an asylum seeker or refugee living outside of the UK, some British universities offer scholarships to international students. You can find out more about how to apply to British universities and fund your course on the UKCISA website .

I turn 29 before the beginning of term. Am I still eligible to apply? Applications are only open to young people between the ages of 16 to 28 years old.

We take into consideration the age you will be on 1st September, and not the age you are when submitting your application. Can I apply for funds for my organisation? No. Hope for the Young supports refugee or asylum-seeking individuals only.

How do I submit an application? All applications must be made via our online application form. The application form should be completed by a referrer on your behalf.

All sections of the application must be completed in full before you submit, and you must include proof of your immigration status. Someone from an education or welfare organisation (e.g. a teacher, lecturer, Support Worker) or appropriate youth professional known to you (e.g. case worker, mentor, youth worker, pastor). They should NOT be a friend or family member.

Yes, if you do not have anyone who can complete the application on your behalf, we can accept a self-referral. However, you will need to include the contact details of someone who has agreed to provide a reference in support of your application – this should NOT be a friend or family member. Applications will not be assessed if these details are not included.

If you self-refer, you must still submit a full and detailed application form and provide proof of your immigration status. You can apply for a a contribution towards tuition fees, transport costs, exam fees, and general study costs. We offer grants for publicly funded courses in the UK, from basic qualifications (Entry Level) up to an undergraduate degree (Level 6 qualification).

We do not fund private courses or examinations offered by private institutions, nor do we support resits or GCSEs studied privately. Please note, we do not provide funds for laptops, mobile phones or IT software. Can I apply for a grant if I already have an undergraduate degree?

No. Unfortunately, Hope for the Young is only able to support students looking to study up to their first undergraduate degree. We do not give grants for either post-graduate studies or professional qualifications. Can I apply for support for my postgraduate studies?

No. Unfortunately, Hope for the Young only supports up to undergraduate level. We do not give grants for either post graduate studies or professional qualifications. You can find details of how to fund postgraduate studies on the Displaced Student Opportunities Portal .

What is the maximum amount I can apply for? Our maximum grant is £4,500. However, most grants awarded will be smaller than this.

It is important that you consider all the associated costs of studying and can clearly show how you plan to meet these costs. If you are seeking support, it is important that you also apply to other charities and can clearly demonstrate how you plan to meet the full costs of studying throughout the academic year. As part of your application, we will require the names of the organisations and the amounts you have applied for.

You can find a list of other charities that you may be able to apply to on Refugee Education UK’s website . Please note, we do not provide funds for laptops, mobile phones or IT software. My course has already started.

Can I apply for support for this academic year? No. The fund is open for applications starting or continuing from 1st September 2025 for England & Wales and 1st August 2025 for Scotland. What happens after I submit my application?

Both you and your referrer will receive an automatic email letting you know that we’ve received your application and supporting documents. Our Grants and Advocacy Manager might get in touch with you and/or your referrer to ask for more information or relevant documentation. If you applied in Round 1, we will assess your application between May and June and decide whether we can shortlist it to be discussed at one of our funding panels.

If we are unable to shortlist your application on this occasion, we will let you know by the end of June. If you applied in Round 2, we will assess your application throughout August and decide whether we can shortlist it to be discussed at one of our funding panels. If we are unable to shortlist your application on this occasion, we will let you know by the end of August.

When will I hear if my application has been shortlisted? If your application has been shortlisted, we may contact you for more information and your application will be discussed during one of our funding panels made up of Hope for the Young’s past grant recipients, staff, and trustees. If your application has not been shortlisted on this occasion, we will let you know by the end of June.

If your application has been shortlisted, we may contact you for more information and your application will be discussed during one of our funding panels made up of Hope for the Young’s past grant recipients, staff, and trustees. If your application has not been shortlisted on this occasion, we will let you know by the end of August. When will I hear if my application was successful?

We aim to notify all Round 1 applicants on the outcome of their application by the end of July. We aim to notify all Round 2 applicants on the outcome of their application by the end of August Is there an advantage to completing my application early? No, there is no advantage in rushing to submit your application early.

It is important to spend time completing the application correctly and in full. Please note, incomplete applications will not be processed! Yahya, a young man from Pakistan, overcomes financial challenges and uncertainty to achieve his dream of studying Law.

Rajmonda, a brilliant young woman from Albania, breaks down all the barriers in her way to graduate with a degree in Education. When Julia* came to the UK 4 years ago, aged 19, she found herself having to start all over again. Rebuilding her life and finding a new support network were challenging enough, but she then began to face huge difficulties when beginning a degree ...

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