Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries
Postgrad Solutions offer 15 bursaries across a number of subject areas. Visit their website for further information and to apply.
Libraries
A useful place to try is the local library and/or town hall in your hometown. If it is difficult for you to visit in person, you could call or email them, or ask a relative or friend if they could ask on your behalf. Although local charities tend to give out much smaller pots of money than big charities, many have very specific criteria, meaning that only someone from your village or school is eligible. That way, your chances of success are much higher.
Companies
You may find that one of your parents works for a company that operates a bursary scheme for children of their employees.
Embassies
Embassies usually have a list of bursaries open to their nationals who wish to study abroad.
Organising a fundraising concert
You could consider taking matters into your own hands by organising a fundraising concert in your home town; perhaps in a church, community centre, or your old school. Advertise in your local supermarket, on the community notice board, and with flyers posted through doors of neighbours and other people who might be interested in supporting you. Invite your local newspaper to review the concert, and take photographs.
If it is inappropriate to ask that all the profits be put towards your education, ask a local charity if they’d like to combine with you on the event. Choose an organisation that you also have an affiliation with, and whose members and supporters are likely to come out in force to support, and donate half of the proceeds to them. If you have any contacts within a Round Table or Lions Club in the area where you grew up, you could find out whether they would support you in raising money towards a nominated charity. You could also make enquiries about whether they can support you directly with funding.
The publicity associated with this kind of event can in itself draw the attention of a generous private benefactor – allow for the possibility that some people might want to give more than simply the price of their tickets, so organise a raffle or simply provide envelopes for additional donations at the door. Make sure you also include your contact details so that someone could get back in touch with you in future, to give you a further donation or invite you to give a concert for them.
In some cases, donations can only be given from one charity directly to another, and not an individual. If a charity shows an interest in you and this is the case, remember that their donation can be made directly to Trinity Laban, as long as it is accompanied by a letter explicitly noting that it is for the benefit of your education.