Who can apply?

The Helena Kennedy Foundation receives more than 1500 enquiries about funding each year. This demand for financial support means that we need to apply some application guidelines:

You can apply if:

• you are in your final year at a publicly-funded further education institution (e.g. last year of Access/ A level / BTEC / Scottish Highers course at UK FE/sixth form college) at time of applying
• you aim to start a first-time programme of higher education in autumn of the same year at a UK higher education institution (i.e. HND, BA, BSc, BEd, Foundation Degree). Students taking a 'gap' year will be considered

AND

• you anticipate financial difficulties

You can't apply if you:

• are already on a higher education course (with the exception of students on an HND courses at an FE College who are planning to progress to a degree course)
• are seeking funding for a postgraduate course
• are studying/intending to study at a privately funded institution (e.g. for a diploma in aromatherapy at a non-publicly funded college/learning organisation).
• have already received an HKF award
• have previously undertaken a higher education course
• are studying internationally, or intend to complete your higher education course at an international institution

Each year the Foundation receives applications from many more students than we are able to support.  You should only apply for an award if you are facing financial difficulties which will make progression to higher education difficult.  HKF awards are designed to support students who have overcome significant barriers to complete their further education.  To see examples of some of the issues our students face please read who we help.  To read the stories of some of the students who have benefitted from an HKF Award please click to meet some of our students.  If you have read this information and you have questions about whether or not you should apply for an award please contact us.