Going to uni is expensive… Understatement of the year!
But if you’re 100% certain that that’s what you want to do, there are options out there. We’ve asked our coaches to tell us how they managed to secure funding for their studies. And don’t forget we also have some expert advice on scholarships, bursaries and grants.
In this short film, our coaches explain how they accessed funding to go to university.
"One of the first scholarships that I got was one that I applied for. It's an enterprise charity which aims to promote businesses in this deprived part of Newcastle. The second one was from the university, based on your parents' income, your family income. You don't have to apply for it, you automatically qualified for it."
"A sports scholarship is a scheme from a university that supports you alongside your studies, maybe financially or through fitnessschemes, through gym sessions, anything that's going to support you in your sporting career alongside your studies, and getting the right balance between the two."
"Research and look on every single university website that you're applying to and find out what do they offer, what are the criteria? They usually ask you to send off a little personal statement, a short one. Send that off and apply for them."
"I chose the one that was right for me in the end because it had the right package of all the bases covered financially, fitness-wise, gym sessions. It covered all the right things for me to get the right balance between athletics and my academic life."
"It might take a little bit of time but, believe me, if you're getting £5,000 at the end of it every year, there's a lot you can do with £5,000and it's worth it. It goes a long way for a student."
If you’re looking for funding:
- There are websites where you can search hundreds of scholarships, bursaries and grants. They’re an excellent start, but check the websites of the individual unis as well. Some of them might not advertise their funding options elsewhere
- Trusts, charities, and even some businesses offer scholarships. Sometimes they can also include work experience or an internship. Again, research is vital!
- Applying for a scholarship is very similar to applying for a job: it can be very competitive, so make sure you build a strong, positive case to show you need and deserve the funding
- In Scotland, SAAS has numerous types of funding that students can access, so speak to their financial officers so get all the information you need.
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