Behind every bursary is the chance to thrive, not just survive.


When people think of bursaries, they often see them as financial lifelines—just numbers on a page, reducing the weight of tuition or rent. But for me, the Aldridge Foundation bursary has been so much more than that. It’s been a steady hand guiding me through the most transformative years of my life, allowing me to grow in ways I never imagined. It didn’t just help me afford an education; it gave me tools, mentorship, and confidence.


As a nervous first-year student arriving at Queen Mary University of London, the bursary was a pillar of stability. Financially, it gave me room to focus on my studies and immerse myself in university life without constantly worrying about making ends meet. But the mentorship that came alongside it was just as crucial. My mentor didn’t just provide advice; they provided reassurance—a voice of experience reminding me that it was okay to feel overwhelmed and that I belonged here.
This support was especially vital during my spring insight week. I still remember how nervous I felt, walking into that experience, unsure of myself. Thanks to the preparation and encouragement from my mentor, I left those doors feeling like I could hold my own.


By the time my second year rolled around, I was completing a semester abroad at Cornell University. Studying in the U.S. had always felt like a distant dream, one reserved for people with far more resources than I had. But with the bursary’s financial backing, that dream became a reality. Cornell wasn’t just an academic experience—it was a life experience. I stepped into a completely different world, immersed myself in a new culture, and learned to adapt. The funding gave me the freedom to focus on making the most of every moment. I didn’t just survive my time
there; I thrived, academically and personally.


When summer came, so did a new challenge: my internship. I entered the corporate world with some of the same nerves I had felt in my first year at university, but there was a difference now—I had built confidence. The mentorship, experiences, and support from the bursary had given me a foundation to trust myself and my abilities.


I am now in my third year, after which my next steps are that I am pursuing a graduate degree in America. I wouldn’t have had the confidence and the skills to do this without the help of the Aldridge Foundation.


Looking back, I see the Aldridge Foundation bursary as more than financial aid. It was an investment in me—not just in my education, but in my growth, potential, and confidence. Bursaries like this don’t just change lives; they transform them. This is why bursaries matter so much, they are catalysts for potential. Every student deserves the chance to not just attend university, but to fully embrace and excel in the opportunities it
offers.

For organisations and donors, supporting a bursary is about empowering the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and change-makers. For the students that are reading this, a bursary is the first step that will give you the confidence to be brave and to truly bring to life your hopes and dreams with the support of the foundation.