Forever Keele Issue 10 | 2015 | Page 67

SCHOLARSHIPS Many of Keele’s former students benefitted a Government grant to support them through their time at university, and for most of them, their education was free as there were no tuition fees. Today, most undergraduates do not receive support aside from being eligible to apply for a student loan. With tuition fees at £9,000 per year, it is not uncommon for undergraduates to leave after their three year degree course with a loan in excess of £30,000. That is before they get their first job and before they take the first step on any kind of property ladder. One of the reasons why students who are academically able don’t take up the university place offered, or drop out mid-way through their course, is lack of finance. Many of today’s students have to juggle their studies with one, two or even three part-time jobs. At Keele we are aiming to break down these barriers and ensure that as many of our prospective and currently students as possible are not hindered from coming to or staying at Keele due to money worries. Though we already have good support systems in place for students we would like to be able to offer more support in terms of scholarships and bursaries. To support the today’s students through their studies, please visit Keele Key Fund pages www.keele.ac.uk/onlinedonation and select ‘bursaries and scholarships’ or contact Hazel Russell in the Development Office on 01782 733003 or email [email protected]. Any sum at all will make a big difference. It is possible for alumni to make larger donations and name a scholarship and set some of the criteria around subject area or home town. This is a marvellous way of linking alumni directly with today’s students and really seeing the positive impact of their donation. Forever Keele 2015 | 67