Support for local students progressing to university
The Harpur Trust has awarded bursaries worth a total of £72,000 to help young people from Bedford Borough take the next step in their education and manage the costs of university life.
The achievements of sixteen selected students were celebrated at a special awards event after receiving an undergraduate University Bursary. They will soon begin degree courses at universities across the UK, studying subjects that reflect a wide range of interests and career aspirations.
This year’s bursary recipients are embarking on courses including law, sociology, medicine, biomedical science, psychology, midwifery, zoology, social work, modern languages and history.
The scheme is open to Year 13 students studying at the following Bedford Borough schools and colleges: Bedford Academy, Bedford College, Biddenham International School and Sports College, Kimberley STEM College, Mark Rutherford School, Sharnbrook Academy, The Bedford Sixth Form, St Thomas More Catholic Secondary School & Sixth Form and Wixams Academy.
Students awarded a bursary receive £4,500 over three years, helping cover essential study-related costs such as accommodation, books, food, transport, IT equipment and course materials.
Victoria Reed, Head of Grants & Commissioned Programmes at The Harpur Trust, said: “We are delighted to support this year’s bursary recipients as they begin the next stage of their educational journey. The rising cost of higher education can be a significant challenge for many young people and their families, and we hope these bursaries will help ease some of that pressure, enabling students to focus on their studies and make the most of the opportunities university life offers. We look forward to following their progress and celebrating their achievements in the years ahead.”
Since the University Bursary Scheme was established nearly 20 years ago, The Harpur Trust has supported hundreds of students and awarded over £1 million in bursaries.
At the event, students also had the opportunity to access practical advice and support from Citizens Advice Bedford (CAB).
The University Bursary Scheme is part of The Harpur Trust’s wider work to help children and young people thrive and reach their potential. Through its Grants Programme, the Trust distributes more than £1.2 million each year to charities and community organisations delivering projects that improve lives across Bedford Borough.
Other initiatives include the Accelerator Programme, which works with schools to support children from lower-income families and help narrow the attainment gap. The Trust also operates a School Uniform Grant Scheme, providing support towards the cost of secondary school uniforms for eligible families when children move from primary to secondary education.
The Harpur Trust is a founding partner and hosts Bedford Giving, a local movement bringing together organisations and residents to create brighter futures for children and young people across the borough.
University Bursary applications for 2027 will open early next year. For more information, visit www.harpurtrust.org.uk/university-bursary-programmes.