Need help with the costs of studying? Apply now for a Joseph Levy Education Fund grant

We know that people with cystic fibrosis (CF) can face extra challenges and costs when studying in higher or further education.. The Joseph Levy Education Fund is here to help with some of these additional financial costs associated with studying while living with CF.

To apply to the Joseph Levy Education Fund you must:

• have cystic fibrosis
• be a UK resident
• need financial help to take a course at an accredited university, college or other educational institution or course provider
• be 18 or over at the time your course is due to start (although we will accept applications from people aged 16 or 17 who wish to undertake vocational training).

With grants of up to £600, the Joseph Levy Education Fund can be used to support with  living costs, buying educational materials like books, or for vocational course costs that aren’t covered by a student loan.

Becky Kilgariff, Joint Head of Information, Support and Programmes at Cystic Fibrosis Trust, says:

“At Cystic Fibrosis Trust, we want to empower everyone with CF to live a life without limits, which means supporting our community to reach their career goals and aspirations. The Joseph Levy Education Fund grants help make sure the additional costs of CF aren’t a barrier to reaching your education and career goals.”

Find out more about the JLEF

Helping you to fulfil your dreams

Emily recently completed her degree in Product Design at the University of Huddersfield. She says:

“The Joseph Levy Education Fund helped me to keep on top of my health at university, whilst also being able to experience all that the university had to offer. I didn’t have to worry about how I would fund resources and equipment that I needed while on the course and how I would travel home for hospital appointments. It helped to provide me with independence, as I was able to live in accommodation which was suitable for my needs and close to university so that I wouldn’t have a long commute every day. 

“I’m over the moon to have achieved a first class honours in BA Product Design!”

Emily has now also completed a PGCE and has started work as a Design and Technology teacher in a secondary school. She says:

“This subject has always been a passion of mine and not only have I been able to complete my degree in the subject, I’ve now gone on to teach it to the next generation of students. My degree in design allows for me to explore the field I love and opens up so many doors for opportunities.

“Without the help of the Joseph Levy Education Fund grant, my university experience would have been completely different. The grant is easy to apply for and helped me massively throughout the course of my university degree. Knowing that the support was there, it allowed me to pursue my degree knowing that I would be able to handle both university life and keep myself well. I received funding throughout the course of my undergraduate degree and I also received support to complete my teacher training. I am so grateful to have received this support and thank the Joseph Levy Education Fund. If you have the chance to apply, do it!”

The next application deadline for the Joseph Levy Education Fund is 31 May 2023. Application forms are available here.

Find out more and apply today

As well as providing grants through the Joseph Levy Education Fund, we offer help through our Student Support Service which helps students with CF to look at all the practical and financial support available to them while they are studying.

Student Support Service

If you'd like any support or advice with any aspect of careers, work or employment with CF, check out our Work Forwards programme.

Get employment support

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 10,800 people in the UK. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.

Since 1964, we've supported people with cystic fibrosis to live longer, healthier lives - and we won’t stop until everyone can live without limits imposed by CF.