SEND Local Offer: Loans and grants

Grants

A grant is money that is given to you for a specific purpose.

You can receive a grant from either:

  • a business
  • the government 
  • another organisation

You do not need to pay a grant back.

Grants available for children and young people with SEND are:  

Government grants:

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund can help with education-related costs if you are aged 16 to 19.

 The grant can help towards:

  • travel
  • books
  • meals
  • clothes 

There are two types of 16 to 19 bursaries:

Bursary for students in vulnerable groups

You may be able to get a bursary if you either:

  • are in or recently left local authority care
  • get Income Support or Universal Credit because you’re supporting yourself financially
  • get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in your name and either:
    • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    • Universal Credit
  • you get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in your name and either:
    • ESA
    • Universal Credit

The amount you may get depends on the costs you have and what you need for your course. This might include money for:

  • books
  • equipment
  • travel to school or college
Discretionary bursary

Your school or college will have their own criteria for discretionary bursaries.

They’ll look at your individual circumstances. This usually includes your family income.

You should ask student services about their criteria and any evidence you’ll need.

You can apply for a discretionary bursary if you’re over 19 and either:

You can learn more about the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund on the GOV.UK website.  

You may get DSA if you have:

  • mental health problem
  • long-term illness
  • any other disability  

You can get this grant on its own or in addition to any student finance you get.

You can find out more about DSA on the GOV.UK website.

A DFG is provided by the council if you are disabled and need to make home improvements.  

You can find out more about DFGs on the GOV.UK website.

Access to Work is a grant that can help you stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.  

You can find out more about Access to Work on the GOV.UK website.

Other grants:

  • Disability Grants: An organisation that helps you find disability grants that you may be eligible for.
  • Family Fund: Provides a range of grants to families who are caring for a disabled or seriously ill child or young adult on a low income. 
  • Isleworth & Hounslow charity: A local charity that provides one-off grants for residents of Hounslow in times of need.
  • Newlife: The UK’s largest provider for specialist equipment for disabled children.  
  • Turn2us: A charity that has a grant search tool, finding grants that you may be eligible for. 
  • WellChild: A charity that provides support to children and young people with complex health needs. 
  • Wizzybug Loan Scheme: A scheme that provides powered wheelchairs for disabled children under five years old.  

You may be entitled to grants or schemes that can help towards transport, such as:

  • The Motability Scheme
  • Vehicle tax exemption

You can find more about help towards transport on our Travel schemes and passes webpage.

Benefits and money menu

Rate this page