FUNDING FOR MATURE STUDENTS

Sue Sangscs35@cam.ac.uk

College Funds

•Academic grants/bursaries

•Travel/research grants

•Hardship grants

University Funds

• University of Cambridge fund searchhttp://webservices.admin.cam.ac.uk/gradfunds/gfinder.jsp?status=new&reset=reset

• Access to Learning Fundhttp://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/financial-hardship-support-access-funds/access-learning-fund

• University Hardship Fundhttp://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/financial-hardship-support-access-funds/hardship-funding

• Crane’s Charity - assistance with medical costshttp://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/financial-hardship-support-access-funds/cranes-charity

• Departmental Funds

Central University Funds

• These funds are administered centrally http://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/funding/central-university-funds-scholarships-undergraduate-and-graduate

Schiff Foundation – engineering, physics or related sciencesJebb Grant Fund – classical or other literary studies

• If your PhD is related to Commonwealth studies, you are eligible to apply for assistance from the Smuts Memorial Fund. The Fund makes a number of awards to Cambridge graduates for costs of travel, fieldwork, or audio-visual fieldwork equipment. http://www.ist.admin.cam.ac.uk/smuts-memorial-fund

Other Information• Paid employment – You can work up to 10 hours a week if you are on a

course of more than 1 year. This can include supervising undergraduates, invigilating examinations, working in a university/college library, or demonstrating in a laboratory.

• Professional and Career Development Loans https://www.gov.uk/career-development-loans

• Future Finance https://www.financemyfuture.co.uk

Loans to undergraduates and postgraduatesBorrow between £2500 and £40000 per academic yearRepayment term up to 10 years – no early repayment chargeRepresentative 11.8% APR (variable)Gives loans to students with little or no working or credit histories

• Central Childcare Bursary Scheme http://www.childcare.admin.cam.ac.uk/central-childcare-bursary-scheme-eu-overseas-students

University child care grant for EU and Overseas students

Other Information• Central Childcare Bursary Scheme

http://www.childcare.admin.cam.ac.uk/central-childcare-bursary-scheme-eu-overseas- students

University child care grant for EU and Overseas students

• Cambridge Philosophical Society http://www.cambridgephilosophicalsociety.org/grants.shtml The Research Studentship will allow a student to complete a promising piece of research in natural sciences, technologies or mathematics. Travel grants are available for travel to attend conferences, visit labs and conduct field work. Cost of membership is £10 per academic year.

CHARITABLE FUNDING

Eligibility criteria may include:

• Nationality• A particular age group• Gender• Religion• Residence in a particular part of the country• Family links to a particular trade or profession

SEARCHING THE INTERNET

• University of Cambridge fund searchhttp://webservices.admin.cam.ac.uk/gradfunds/gfinder.jsp?status=new&reset=reset

• www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk• www.Researchprofessional.com• www.studentcashpoint.co.uk• www.unigrants.co.uk• www.turn2us.org.uk

Using the Library

DIRECTORIES• The Grants Register • The Directory of Grant Making Trusts• The Educational Grants Directory• The Charities Digest• Charity Choice• Local books about charities

These directories will contain hundreds of bodies many of which may not be listed anywhere online. A lot of charities are quite traditional in the way they operate and the more obscure ones do not yet have any presence online.

Learned Societies and Associations

• Find out if your discipline is represented by a learned society such as The Royal Historical Society, Royal Geographical Society.

• Small societies and independent associations may not make grants to students but you could try interesting them in your research.

• Museums and collections may help with research trips.

Making Sure that you are EligibleIf your basic information on the funder does not include eligibility or application procedures send a brief initial letter with the following information:

• Your name • Your course • Year of study • Nationality • Brief details about your research (if appropriate) • For what purpose you require funding. • Ask them if they think you are eligible and if so, to send you

application forms or instructions on how to apply. • If you have an email address for the charity use that but if

not send a letter with a stamped self-addressed envelope.

How to win your Grant

• Gauge the priorities of the body and make your application as relevant as possible –awards for high achievers, funding for research or travel, help for students in financial difficulty.

• Complete each section carefully and follow all instructions. Attach extra sheets if necessary – unless they have said otherwise.

• Include your CV – unless they have specified otherwise.• Include a personal statement if there is not a section for it on

the form. • Provide a separate financial statement unless space has been

left for one on the form.

• References. These must be from established academics for PhDs but may be from ex-employers. It obviously helps if the referee is familiar with your studies and is sympathetic to your situation. NB. They may have to write many references, so give them clear instructions and plenty of time.

• Presenting your application. Make sure that there are no typos and everything is assembled neatly. When you post it, use special or recorded delivery.

• Maintain good relations with bodies. Speak to a representative of the body on the phone. If you can develop rapport, even over something trivial, you will improve your chances.

• If you win a grant, write to the charity to thank them. Also, at the end of the year, write to them and tell them briefly how your studies are going and show them their money has been well spent. This will help if you want to renew awards in subsequent years.

Writing your Personal Statement

• Tell your potential funder why you are a deserving applicant.• Tell them why you have a deficit. • Talk about your own research. • Show that this course of study is essential for your future

career plans. Many bodies will want to believe that they are helping you advance your career.

• Talk about what you plan to do after your course.• Show that you have sought part-time work (where

appropriate), are living frugally and have made applications to other bodies – list them on your Financial Statement. If you get support from one charity, make use of that in your applications to others.

Writing your Financial Statement

• What is your anticipated income and anticipated expenditure for the year.

• How much are you requesting – based on your shortfall.• Itemise your income: work payments, grants, savings, other sources

of income.• Itemise your expenditure: fees, rent, food, utilities, travel, research

and other costs.• If your living costs seem too high or your budget includes a large

amount of non-essential expenditure, your application is likely to be rejected.

• If you have a large deficit i.e. above £2000-£3000, you should show that you have made applications to other charities and that you have thought about funding subsequent years.

• If you have savings , allocate them across all years of study. • Be honest.

Rejection

• Write a polite email or letter asking why they have come to this decision.

• Would it be worth reapplying?• Do not complain or argue about the decision.• Would they consider sponsoring you in the

future, especially if you gain funding from other bodies.

Research, travel and conference expenses

• Apply well in advance.• Make sure you are eligible.• Emphasise why this funding is important.• Your financial statement should include

accurate costings (where possible) with evidence of need.

• Show that you have applied to other sources.

Fourth year PhD study

• There are charities e.g. the Gilchrist Educational Trust (http://www.gilchristgrants.org.uk/) which will help fund the completion of PhD studies.

• Explain why you are going into fourth year.• Show why the previous three years were less

straight forward than expected.• If appropriate, show that your fourth year

contains extra research, not ‘writing up’ period.