Bursaries

Working with partners, we recognised that young people often faced additional barriers in getting to colleges and workplaces, and in achieving qualifications. The pandemic and subsequent cost of living crisis identified a growing gap in funding support for young people who  were the most financially vulnerable.

We identified a need to provide direct financial support to these young people, and together with our partners, designed a new approach to supporting financially vulnerable young people between 16 to 25 years old. In October 2020, the Foundation announced its Bursary.

Bursary funding is managed by 11 UK charity partners. The partners distribute funds to young people facing financial barriers and hardship and support them to move into or maintain a positive destination. Bursaries provide financial help towards costs including work ready qualifications, energy bills, food, clothing, IT and data kit, and travel. 

Foundation partner Money Ready acts as a referral partner. It supports the young people who apply for a bursary to improve their own financial education through online and in-person programmes: encouraging a more sustainable approach and upskilling young people to more effectively manage their future finances.

Charities and young people continue to report on the positive impact of the Bursary. Sometimes, just a little funding makes a huge difference to young people’s lives. Between 2020 and 2023, the bursary program supported 892 individual children and young people. In the 2023/24 period, the combined bursary and Wee Bursary programs have provided support to 1,567 individuals to date.

Read more about how the Bursary helps young people.