The council and CWG launch the grants
- Grants will open for applications on 23 March.
- Successful applicants will receive grants between £2,800 and £5,900, depending on the course.
- Over 4,500 people already supported through the Tower Hamlets and Canary Wharf partnership since 1990.
- Part of the council’s wider investment in removing economic barriers to learning, skills, and opportunities.
Tower Hamlets Council and CWG are relaunching the Tower Hamlets and Canary Wharf Further Education Trust (THCWFET) grants.
The programme will offer £250,000 in financial support for residents who face financial barriers to pursuing further or higher education, postgraduate study, or professional and vocational training. Applications are set to open on 23 March 2026.
Eligible residents can apply for grants between £2,800 and £5,900, depending on the course.
Established in 1990, the partnership has already supported more than 4,500 residents to gain qualifications that improve career prospects and open new opportunities. This year’s relaunch reinforces the borough’s ongoing commitment to removing financial barriers for local people to continue their education.
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:
“Every year we meet residents with the drive and ability to progress in their education, but who are held back by costs beyond their control. These grants offer practical support that can make the difference between pausing a dream and pursuing it.
“We’re pleased to relaunch this programme with CWG, strengthening a partnership that has already helped thousands of people in Tower Hamlets take their next steps with confidence.”
Cllr Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, said:
“Education transforms lives, and we are committed to ensuring that no resident in Tower Hamlets is prevented from pursuing education because of financial hardship. This partnership means hundreds more residents can gain the qualifications and skills they need for a better future.
“I want to thank our partners at CWG for their continued investment in our residents, and the future of our borough.”
Shobi Khan, Chief Executive Officer of CWG, said:
"Investing in education is one of the most powerful ways we can support our community. Our partnership with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets is a testament to what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together towards a shared goal.
“Through the THCWFET grants, we have helped more than 4,500 students unlock their potential and access the qualifications and skills they need to thrive. Programmes like this reflect our commitment to our purpose of bringing people together to enhance lives, now and in the future to create lasting, positive change - not just within Canary Wharf, but across the wider community we are proud to be part of."
Who can apply
THCWFET grant applications will open from 23 March until 26 June. Grants are available to residents who:
- Have lived in Tower Hamlets for at least three years
- Have finished GCSEs or A-Levels
- Meet financial eligibility criteria (including means-testing based on total household income)
- Cannot otherwise access financial support, such as the council’s Education Maintenance Allowance or University Bursaries, or government support under student finance regulations.
There is no upper age limit for applicants.
Supporting residents beyond the classroom
The grants complement the council’s broader financial support offer for children and young people to give them the best possible opportunities in life.
Last year, the council introduced universal school uniform grants for families with a household income under £50,350, with families able to claim £50 per child entering primary school, and £150 per child entering secondary school.
Tower Hamlets was also the first local authority in the country to provide universal free school meals for both primary and secondary school children, saving families on average £550 per child, per year.
It is also the only council to have restored the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) alongside university and college grants, and its youth service, Young Tower Hamlets, has nearly reached its goal of having a youth centre available in every ward, at a time when many are closing across the country.
Residents can apply for a THCWFET grant via the council’s website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/further
Posted on Wednesday 18th March 2026