The Maddock, Leicester & 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. For the purposes of the fund, education includes social and physical training.
Eligibility
Who We Are Able to Support
We will support people who meet the following criteria;
- Young people who are preparing to start college or university
- Students who have already begun their studies.
- Applicants should normally be between the ages of 15 and 21
- Resident in Stoke on Trent or Newcastle under Lyme
- Have achieved exceptional grades at their last exam OR
- Have achieved grades that are better than would be expected given a person’s background
Eligible Costs
- Learning material, i.e. books and textbooks that are required by the course.
- Computer software subscriptions (related to the course)
- Administrative costs incurred by course, i.e. stationery, photocopying, etc.
- Course related equipment and materials
- Initial deposits required by the college
- Other college related costs.
Ineligible Costs
- Travel costs
- Running a motor vehicle
- General living expenses
- Everyday expenditure
- Everyday clothing costs, but specialist clothing will be considered
- Purchase of new computers
- Field trips
Grants Available
This programme has 2 funding options
Bursary
You can apply for a bursary of £2000 per year during your university study, up to 3 years
Grant
You can apply for a grant of up to £2000 for one off purchases
Application Process
Application Considerations
- The panel will be looking to reward excellence and educational achievement. They will always take note of any candidate from an under privileged background who is achieving educational success.
- The Panel are looking for good grades and outstanding ability taking into account the candidate’s background. So, normally, candidates should have achieved or be expected to achieve A or A* grades in GCSE and high grades at AS or A level.
- Exceptions will be made for pupils with learning difficulties, special needs or a very underprivileged background who had achieved substantially over and above what would be normally expected for that particular pupil.
- Bursaries are for a set amount of £2000 per year, paid over three years of study. Each subsequent year’s payment will depend on confirmation of your returning to study and continuing with your course. There is no need for you to apply each year.
- Along with your application you should provide proof of your offer from university, along with proof of your GCSE results and details of A or AS level results or equivalent.
- Students who have already started their studies may also apply.
What to expect on the application form
You may find the following information useful, so as you are prepared when completing the application form.
1) The application form will request details about you and your circumstances. This may include a breakdown of who is in your household, and your financial income and expenditure. You will be asked about your education and future plans.
2) We will want to know what you need help with:
- How will you spend any funding awarded?
- Why do you need support?
- How will any funding awarded benefit you in the long-term?
3) Finally, you will be asked to provide information on what you will spend the money on
Submission Dates
Next Closing Date : 31st October 2026
Assessment Period: 31st October 2026 to 30th November 2026
Panel Date: w/c 30th November 2026
Panel Construction: Funder Advised
Notifications: w/c 30th November 2026
Payment: From 28th December 2026
How to Apply
To apply please download and complete the Application Form below and e-mail the completed form to programmes@staffordshire.foundation
If you feel you’d benefit from some support with the online application, please give us a call, we can guide you through it.
If you would like to see the criteria in PDF form, please click this link