Could you be a Southwark Scholar?
23 March 2018
The Southwark Scholarship Scheme returns for 2018 to help more young people into higher education.
To help young people achieve their potential, Southwark Council set up the Southwark Scholarship Scheme in 2011. Since then the scheme has sent 75 young people from across the borough to university.
The council’s scholarship scheme supports young people who have an excellent academic record of achievement who have also made a positive contribution to their local communities and have a combined household income of less that £25,000.
The scholarship has supported students to study a variety of subjects, including medicine, engineering, economics, law and art.
One scholar who has benefitted from the scheme is Leanne. Leanne joined the scheme in September 2014. Next year, Leanne will also represent the UK as one of the Queen’s Young Leaders for 2018.
Leanne, third year medical student at St George’s University of London, says: “My sister told me about Southwark Scholars after she saw it in a newsletter and I knew I wanted to apply because it’s such an amazing opportunity. When I found out I had been successful I was ecstatic! I remember receiving the email whilst in an H&M changing room and I shouted the good news to my sister! It felt a bit like winning the lottery!
“To anyone who is considering applying I would say ‘do it’! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
“When you’re younger you don’t think about debts but a student loan is real money that needs to be paid back. Being a Southwark Scholar has taken away a huge financial burden it has allowed me to set up ‘Leanne’s Amazing Medics’ programme for school children designed to provide students from ethnic minorities and disadvantaged backgrounds with a detailed understanding of what the field of medicine entails.
“Being a Southwark Scholar is incredibly humbling and it motivates me to invest back in the community as I have been invested in myself.”
Students applying to start university in 2018 must complete an expression of interest online to notify us of their interest in our scholarship scheme. All expressions of interest must be received before 30 April 2018.
Cllr Victoria Mills, Cabinet Member for Children and Schools, said: “Southwark Scholars is a truly inspirational project that has helped numerous young people go to university and study their chosen courses. It has been wonderful to hear over the years what the scholars have achieved thanks to the scholarship. The Southwark Scholarship Scheme demonstrates this council’s commitment to building a fairer future for all and this scheme has helped young people achieve some truly amazing accomplishments.”
Page last updated: 23 March 2018
