Southwark urges students to meet scholarship scheme deadline
Published 4 January 2012
Education chiefs today urged students who want to apply for Southwark Council's pioneering scholarship scheme to submit their registration by the deadline of 15 January.
Under the scheme - the first of its kind in the country - the council is providing scholarships to a select number of high achieving students who might otherwise be put off from going to university because of the costs involved.
Successful applicants will have their full university tuition fees paid by the council for the duration of their course.
This is the scheme's second year and to date the council has agreed to pay the tuition fees for six local students from across the borough.
Applicants must be Southwark residents, for three years or more at time of registration, have put in an application for their first degree at a UCAS member university or college starting in autumn 2012, and demonstrate a record of academic excellence. Candidates must also show how they have contributed to their community in Southwark and live in a household with an income of less than £21,000.
With university tuition fees set to rise this year and signs that some students have already been put off pursuing a degree qualification, the council wants to give students the opportunity to apply for the scholarship scheme as early as possible.
Catherine McDonald, cabinet member for children's services said: "This year university tuition fees are going up to as much as £9,000 a year - meaning many students will leave university with debts of £27,000 from tuition fees alone. Southwark's young people tell me the tuition fee hikes may put them off going to university altogether. The council is doing what it can by helping some of our most talented students by paying their tuition fees to help them fulfil their career aspirations.
"I call on students who are interested in the scheme and meet the initial criteria to submit their registration by the January 15 deadline so that they do not miss out on a chance of a lifetime."
In April applicants will be asked to complete the second part of the application process and then they have to confirm that they have been offered a university place in May/June. Following A -Level results, remaining candidates will then be asked to prove they have a place at university before interviews take place in September.
Students wishing to register for the scholarship scheme should visit www.southwark.gov.uk/scholarship.
