Deadline: 31-Oct-2025
The Maddock, Leicester and Burslem Fund awards small grants and bursaries, to promote the education of young people who reside or have a parent residing within the boundaries of the City of Stoke on Trent and the Borough of Newcastle under Lyme.
This programme offers valuable support to young students aiming to pursue higher education, providing financial assistance for both ongoing university study and one-off course-related expenses. Bursaries of £2000 per year are available for up to three years, while grants of up to £2000 can be used to cover essential materials and equipment.
Eligible costs include learning materials such as books and textbooks required by the course, computer software subscriptions related to the course, administrative costs incurred by the course such as stationery and photocopying, course-related equipment and materials, initial deposits required by the college, and other college-related costs. Ineligible costs include travel expenses, running a motor vehicle, general living expenses, everyday expenditure, and everyday clothing costs, although specialist clothing may be considered. The purchase of new computers and costs associated with field trips are also not eligible.
The funding is open to students aged 15 to 21 who are either preparing to start college or university or are already enrolled. Priority is given to residents of Stoke on Trent and Newcastle under Lyme, and applicants who have achieved exceptional academic results or have performed beyond expectations given their circumstances.
The panel will be looking to reward excellence and educational achievement, taking particular note of candidates from underprivileged backgrounds who are achieving educational success. They seek students with good grades and outstanding ability, considering each candidate’s background. Normally, candidates should have achieved or be expected to achieve A or A grades in GCSEs and high grades at AS or A level. Applicants must provide proof of their university offer, GCSE results, and details of A or AS level results or equivalent. Students who have already started their studies are also eligible to apply.
Exceptions may be made for pupils with learning difficulties, special needs, or those from very underprivileged backgrounds who have achieved substantially beyond what would normally be expected. Bursaries are a set amount of £2000 per year, paid over three years of study, with subsequent payments dependent on confirmation of continued enrollment. There is no need to reapply each year.
Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed twice a year. Those submitted between May and October are considered in November, while applications submitted from November to April are reviewed in May. Application closes on 31 October 2025.
For more information, visit The Community Foundation for Staffordshire.