Six new students get Save the Student Bursary – but many still need funding

We've awarded our first ever bursary, with new students receiving cash to help cover the cost of everything they need to get settled at uni.

Six new university students have become the first ever recipients of the Save the Student Bursary, a fund to help cover the cost of essentials for those starting a degree.

In partnership with JS Group, we've awarded £750 to six new students who'll be starting university this September.

All recipients come from low-income backgrounds – a key aim of the fund – with many facing additional challenges, including estrangement and disability.

The cash is intended to go towards anything the students need to settle in at university, including a laptop, bedding, specialist course materials and more.

Julie, a bursary recipient who'll be studying at the University of Leeds, said:

I had no tech equipment, no Windows skills, and no money. I completed my matriculation essay for Leeds University on my old iPhone.

I couldn't believe my luck when I won the Save the Student Bursary. It has enabled me to buy an iPad with a keyboard which smooths my transition back into education. Thank you!

Meanwhile, Rubie, who'll be studying Law at Royal Holloway, told us:

The bursary means a significant amount to me.

Being an independent student, I do not have the support from family members and have therefore struggled financially. The bursary enabled me to put a deposit on my accommodation for university, and allowed me to buy the last bits of my university stationery.

However, with over 120 applications for every available award, huge numbers of prospective students missed out on the fund. This has led to concerns that many won't secure the funding they need to attend university.

Tom Allingham, student money expert at Save the Student, commented:

We're delighted to award the first ever Save the Student to six extremely deserving recipients.

Going to university should be a time of excitement, not a time to be worrying about money – so it's great that we've been able to help alleviate some of these concerns for these new students.

But having read hundreds of applications for this fund, I am concerned about the number of students who will soon face severe financial hardship at university – if they even make it there at all.

Many applicants mentioned that their Maintenance Loan won't be enough, echoing the results of our National Student Money Survey 2024 which found funding falls short of living costs by an average of £504 per month.

So while we'll continue to help students in any way we can, we believe it's essential for the government to increase maintenance funding to catch up with inflation, and to a liveable standard. Only then will higher education be genuinely accessible to all.

If you missed out on receiving the Save the Student Bursary, check out our guide to grants, bursaries and scholarships for some alternatives.