Individuals

What are Child Support grants?

We provide Child Support grants each year to every school in our benefit area: TW9, TW10, SW13, and SW14. Typically, these grants are used to subsidise residential journeys and class visits, for places at breakfast/after school/holiday clubs or other activities, towards uniform costs, and various therapies. We don’t decide how this is used; please direct any queries to your Headteacher.

Do you provide direct funding to children needing a Child Support grant?

We do not accept direct applications for Child Support grants from individuals. Instead, we distribute our funding directly to local schools. This allows the Headteacher to use their discretion in allocating support to disadvantaged students who need it most.

How can I find out if my child is eligible for this funding?

If you believe your child may be eligible for a Child Support grant, please contact your child’s school. The headteacher will be able to provide information on how the grants are distributed and whether your child qualifies for assistance.

How much Education Grant can I apply for towards my expenses while studying for a degree?

We expect undergraduates to access and fully utilise student finance options, including coverage for fees, maintenance, and any additional support. Comprehensive information about these options can be found here.

We also recommend exploring other financial resources such as bursaries and university hardship funds. Your university’s support services can provide valuable guidance on these opportunities.

If you find yourself facing a financial shortfall despite these efforts, and you have specific personal circumstances that make it challenging to take on part-time or holiday work, you may be eligible to apply for an education grant of up to £3,000 this year. You can make one application each year. Please note that the maximum amount available for undergraduate grants may vary from year to year and may decrease.

Can I apply for an Education Grant towards post-graduate study or a second degree?

Our primary focus is to support individuals from low-education backgrounds who have not yet obtained a degree. Therefore, we do not typically offer grants for post-graduate studies or additional degrees. However, an exception may be made for those working in the voluntary and community sector who are seeking to upskill to meet a specific sector need. If this applies to you, please reach out to our Grants team to discuss your situation in more detail.

Can we apply for school staff training?

Yes, our Individual Education Grants can support staff training in schools and the voluntary sector in our benefit area. The training should benefit both the staff and the school, ideally focusing on the education of disadvantaged children. We don’t normally fund training beyond degree Level Six.

What are Crisis Grants?

Crisis Grants provide rapid assistance to residents of TW9, TW10, SW13, and SW14 who are facing urgent living expenses. The grants are designed to help with immediate financial needs and are available only through referral agencies and partners.

How do I apply for a Crisis Grant?

Applications for Crisis Grants are exclusively accepted through referral agencies. If you are in need, please reach out to one of our trusted referral agencies and partners. They will assist you in determining eligibility and submitting an application on your behalf.

Who are your recommended referral agencies?

We have four primary float holders who distribute our Crisis Grants. They are Achieving for Children (AfC), Age UK Richmond, Citizens Advice Richmond, and Richmond AID. For further contact information, head over to our Crisis Grants page.

Who is eligible for a Crisis Grant?

Crisis Grant recipients must be a resident of TW9, TW10, SW13, or SW14, or a Richmond care leaver. They must not have received our maximum Crisis Grant within the past 12 months. All applications must be submitted by a trusted referral agency with a thorough understanding of the client’s circumstances and needs.

I work for a local organisation which supports residents in your benefit area, but we are not one your four float holders. Can I apply for a Crisis Grant on the residents behalf?

If this is an infrequent or one-off situation we recommend that you refer your client to one of our float-holders. If your organisation expects to regularly request Crisis Grants on behalf of your clients, please read the Crisis Grant Referral Criteria for Referral Agents and Partners, and use our Online Referral Form.