Wiltshire Community Foundation: Students can get bursaries

The University Bursary programme, which began in 2008, awards students £1,600 for each academic year of their degree to contribute towards living expenses, course costs, travel, and books and equipment.

The programme is run by Wiltshire Community Foundation.

Applicants must be aged between 17 and 24, and either they or their parents or guardians must be in receipt of at least two means-tested benefits or two elements of universal credit, or they are in the care of Wiltshire Council or Swindon Borough Council.

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The applicant must also have been living in Wiltshire or Swindon for at least two years, and planning to study, or currently studying, their first undergraduate degree at a UK university or institution.

According to the National Student Accommodation Survey 2024, the average monthly rent for students is £550, with those living in university accommodation paying on average £596 a month.

Similarly, the Sutton Trust Cost of Living survey, conducted in January 2023, reported that 33 per cent of students from a lower socio-economic background reported skipping meals.

Kathryn Gadd received a University Bursary from the Foundation in 2023, to study a higher national diploma of film and TV at New College Swindon.

She said: “It has helped massively, to be honest because I don’t have a car, I don’t have a driver’s licence, a moped, anything.

“So, I have to rely on buses which can get really expensive.

“Although I did receive some money from student loans to cover course fees, my job didn’t pay enough for me to consistently be able to travel to and from the college and get to the different places that I needed to.

“The process was really simple, it was easy to apply, and then once you put through your documents, the communication between me and one of the members at Wiltshire Community Foundation was really good, whatever I didn’t give or forgot to give they let me know.

“The grant has made a complete difference to me; I wouldn’t have been able to attend higher education otherwise.

“Knowing that I could have that support at the start made me motivated to actually go in and try.”

Wiltshire Community Foundation grants manager Nicola Hiller said: “We are thrilled to announce that applications have opened for our University Bursary programme.

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“Students who have previously received bursaries from us have often got in touch describing how much of a difference it has made for them.

“For many, it is the difference between attending higher education or not.

“Last year, we awarded £348,800 in grants to 68 students, easing their financial worries and helping them to focus on their studies.

“It is an absolute joy to help those within our county achieve their educational aspirations.

“We encourage all those who are eligible to apply.

“If you have any questions about the application process or your eligibility, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and our grants team will be more than happy to support with your application.”

People can apply for the University Bursary programme at the Wiltshire Community Foundation’s website.