Horizons

Building a brighter future for one parent families

Horizons Your Education

Horizons Your Education has been developed by Barclaycard Horizons in partnership with Family Action (formerly the Family Welfare Association) to help lone parents with the costs of education and training that will improve their job prospects.

We understand that finding the extra money for education and training can be a real strain on family finances so the programme not only offers grants and support towards the cost of the fees but we can also help with associated costs such as books, travelling expenses and childcare.

Could a Grant Help You?

Who can apply?Who can apply?

You must be a lone parent living in the UK, on a low income with sole responsibility for dependent children. Applicants must be British citizens or have refugee status, indefinite leave to remain, discretionary leave to remain or have been granted humanitarian protection.

What can it be used for?What can it be used for?

Grants are awarded to help with expenses associated with a course of education or training, such as fees, books, equipment, travel and childcare.

What types of education and training count?What types of education and training count?

We will consider making a grant towards expenses for any course where you can demonstrate that it will improve your employment prospects. Preference will be given if statutory funding is not available.

There are a number of exclusions, such as Postgraduate study. Further details and an application form are available in the Guidance for Applicants†.

How much can I apply for?How much can I apply for?

There is no standard grant, each applicant’s circumstances are assessed individually. Grants can be made for courses lasting for more than one year, up to a maximum of three years. The amount of the grant can vary from £500 to a maximum of £1,500 per year.

How to apply†


We’re here to help

Family Action (formerly the Family Welfare Association) is a leading UK family charity, helping over 45,000 families every year.


For further information about our services and Horizons
Your Education grants please call 0207 254 6251 (Tuesday – Thursday, 2pm – 4pm only) or for a free application pack, send a stamped addressed envelope to: Horizons Education Fund, Family Action, 501-505 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AU.


Family Action’s work also involves providing a grants service to disadvantaged families to fund their essential needs. Clothing, fuel bills and household needs such as beds, cookers, washing machines etc. are most commonly requested from our general grants programme.


If you’d like to know more about Family Action’s other grant services please click here.

Family Action

†Software Requirements: To view PDF files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader TM, which is available from www.adobe.com. Adobe, Acrobat and Acrobat reader are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.


*Disclaimer: All case studies are based on real people but names may have been changed where requested. All stories are factually true but may have been edited for ease of interpretation. All images shown are solely to depict a representation of the lone parents we help, and are not of the people featured within the case study.

Helping you with

  • Supported By

    Barclaycard
  • Your Money

    Citizens Advice Bureau
  • Your Education

    Family Action
  • Your Work

    Gingerbread

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