University bursaries totalling £65k awarded to Bedford Borough students
The Harpur Trust has awarded bursaries totalling £65,600 to help local pupils from Bedford Borough afford university.
Sixteen students received their undergraduate University Bursaries at a special event before they started on their academic journey to courses across the country, from London to Manchester.
The students are studying a wide range of subjects including midwifery, psychology, graphic design, engineering, accounting, games art, law, acting, nursing, maths, computer science, archaeology and geography.
The scheme is open to those in year 13 studying in Bedford Borough state schools including: Bedford Academy, Bedford College, Biddenham International School and Sports College, Kempston Academy, Kimberley STEM College, Mark Rutherford, Sharnbrook Academy, The Bedford Sixth Form, St Thomas More Secondary & 6th Form and Wixams Academy.
The students are awarded £3,600 spread across three years and they can use the money to help with study costs including accommodation, books, food, IT, transport or course materials.
The Harpur Trust also awarded two postgraduate students £4,000 each to complete a PGCE English with Drama and a MSc in Clinical Immunology.
Grants Manager Nicola McKenzie said: “We are really proud of our University Bursary scheme as it helps students who have overcome significant personal challenges with the spiralling costs of studying for a degree or post graduate course. It’s just fantastic we get to support them on that journey.
“The bursaries enable students to concentrate on their courses, reducing anxiety and stress, leading to better mental health. Some students say without the bursaries to give them a helping hand, they wouldn’t have gone to university.
“We also keep in touch with the students who update us on their progress and also help feedback and input, as a youth focus group, about various ideas and projects we are running.
“We’re delighted as well to see some of our former bursary students give back as mentors, as well as one student working on an internship at The Trust.”
The Harpur Trust programme has helped 265 students with university bursaries since 2007, with the Trust having awarded nearly £0.9m in bursaries during this time.
Bursaries applications for 2025 will open at the beginning of next year. For further information visit www.harpurtrust.org.uk/university-bursaries