The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to announce that 11 loans totalling £138,332 were awarded to students and entrepreneurs in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in the first quarter of 2025.

Seven interest-free business loans totalling £98,332 have been awarded to businesses including a coffee shop and beauty salon, in addition to businesses providing personal training and educational classes for young children.

Meanwhile, four interest-free education loans, each to the value of £10,000, have been awarded to support postgraduate qualifications including a Master’s (MA) in Social Work and a Master of Laws (LLM) Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.

Lucy Womack, Chair of STWLC, said: “We’re very proud to continue supporting ambitious individuals in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland through our unique interest-free loans. By investing in both aspiring entrepreneurs and postgraduate students, we are helping to strengthen local businesses and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these loans will have on the recipients and their communities.”

Application packs are available to download upon completion of a contact form on our website.

The next deadline for applications is 3:30pm on Tuesday 1 April 2025.