About the fund

*** APPLICATION GUIDANCE ***

If you are considering using AI to write your scholarship application, please review the guidance found here.

Support for those with Care Experience at / going to University – free webinar
We will be hosting a joint webinar with Become on Thursday 23rd January 2025 at 6pm to provide further information about support for people who are care-experienced at university (both from Leathersellers and elsewhere) – if you would like to attend the webinar please sign up here:

• Technology Programme

What is The Leathersellers’ Foundation?

We are an independent grant funder with our income generated from an endowment of property and investments. From this we award grants to a range of charities, education partners and directly to individuals through this scholarships programme. The Foundation’s three core areas of giving are charity, education and leather. In particular, we have been supporting students since 1603.

What are we all about?

We enable individuals and communities by working with charities; foster opportunity through education; and support the UK leather trade.

We exist to provide opportunity and help people reach their full potential. Social mobility is at the heart of our approach and we see education as a key tool to achieve that. Our aim is to enable students to make the most of their time at university, regardless of their financial situation or challenges faced growing up. We are looking to make a difference to students who are ambitious and want to have a positive impact on society in the future.

Our Student Grants- Who are we aiming at?

Primarily we are looking to support those who are care - experienced. We know that people with care experience are under-represented at university, with much support ending at 18 or 25, so we deliberately have no set age limit.

What do we mean by ‘care - experienced’? We define this as someone who has been the subject of a care order/interim care order or voluntary agreement (commonly known as a Section 20 agreement) at any point between the ages of 0-18 years old. This includes all 'looked after children' irrespective of immigration status.

Students who previously attended one of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools in Lewisham or Colfe’s School (on a scholarship) are also eligible to apply.

The Student Grant Itself – what can you get?
The Leathersellers’ Undergraduate Student Grants Programme provides grants up to a maximum of £5,000 per year for a period of up to 4 years, (with a yearly review). The grant is unrestricted, and you may therefore spend it wherever your need is greatest, whether that be towards your living costs, equipment or travel for your course or fees etc.

When can I apply? Application Opening Date 2025-26
Applications open on 8th January 2025
Applications close on 11th March 2025

Interviews are set for May 2025 (you will know if you have been offered one by 25 th April 2025 at the latest, and we will let every applicant know of the outcome of their application).

What are the criteria for this grant?
Your application will be assessed on how well it meets our core social mobility focused criteria: 

• Additional funding from us would support you to make the most of studying your course at university
• You don’t have access to that money otherwise
• You are committed to making a positive impact on society in the future

Is there anything else I need to qualify? Yes. You must be:

• Enrolled on a full-time undergraduate degree course at a UK University for 2025-26 or have an offer to do so (it can be conditional)

One of the following must apply to you:

• I am a UK citizen or have indefinite leave to remain
• I have the right to remain for at least five years
• I have been granted refugee status
• I have pre-settled status (EU)