Southwark scholarship scheme opens to help students pay for university

Southwark council has launched the 13th year of its scholarships for would-be university students who might be put off going due to the tuition fees.

Since 2011, the council has helped 127 young people under the age of 25 to pursue their chosen course at university.

The scholarship award covers the full cost of tuition fees for young people from low income homes.

Applicants must have good grades and show how they give back to the local community.

A previous scholarship winner, Josh Tulloch, 25, studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University.

He said: “The scholarship scheme has granted me maximum freedom now that I’ve graduated.

“Instead of worrying about paying back student loans, I’ve been able to start my own business and pursue my entrepreneurial passions.

“I hope to use my business to pour back into the Southwark community.”

Sue-Marie Majeed is 21 years old and studying medicine at King’s College London.

She said: “Coming from a low-income family and living in a deprived community, pursuing medicine would have been impossible for me without this scholarship.

“I’ve been able to pursue a career that I am passionate about without worrying about the financial burden that often comes with studying medicine.”

The council is looking for partners to help increase the number of scholarships on offer going forward. If you, your business or charity could help sponsor a young person through university, contact eba@southwark.gov.uk

Southwark councillor Jasmine Ali said: “We know tuition fees can loom over young people who want to go to university, so that’s why we set up the scholarship scheme, to remove that financial burden and allow young people to fully concentrate on working towards their goals who might not ordinarily think university is for them.

“We are so proud of our Southwark Scholars and their many successes. High among of these is their work to reinvest in the borough and in ambitious young people just like them.

“The new network of scholars will help us build on the scholarship scheme’s legacy so far for the benefit of our community.”

Pictured top: Cllr Ali with past Southwark Scholars at the council offices in Tooley Street (Picture: Southwark council)