National Scholarship Programme (NSP) at Colchester Institute

 

The National Scholarship Programme (NSP) has been created by the Government to help eligible students from low income households with the costs of higher education study.  The initiative commenced in September 2012.  The NSP is in addition to any other loans and grants that students might receive.

Introduction

Under the National Scholarship Programme Colchester Institute will be offering scholarships to 30 new students commencing undergraduate courses in September 2013.

Applicants will be required to meet national and local criteria and submit an application direct to Colchester Institute. However meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee receipt of a scholarship.

National Scholarship Benefits

Full Time Students
For full time students the scholarship comprises a fee discount of £1,500, a £1,000 cash bursary and a £500 travel payment in the first year of study. 

The £500 travel payment and £1,000 financial support will continue for up to a further two years dependant on attendance.

Part Time Students
For part time students the scholarship comprises a pro-rata fee discount, bursary payment and travel payment. All benefits will be allocated on a pro-rata basis for up to a maximum of six years.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for an NSP you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be ordinarily resident in England and eligible for UK home fees;
  • Have an annual declared household income of £25,000 or less;
  • Register for a Bachelors or Foundation degree, Cert HE, Dip HE or HNC/HND at Colchester Institute with first enrolment in 2013-2014;
  • Be enrolling for the first year of your higher education study at Colchester Institute;
  • Apply to Colchester Institute for degree level study by 31st May 2013;
  • Apply to Student Finance England for student finance by 31st May 2013.

In addition, under the national eligibility criteria of the NSP, you are not eligible for the NSP regardless of meeting the above criteria if you are:

  • An NHS-funded student;
  • A student funded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools;
  • A student directly continuing from one course to another (for example from a foundation degree or HND on to the final year of your honours degree);
  • A student transferring to Colchester Institute from another institution;
  • A student undertaking a postgraduate qualification;
  • Any other students whose fees are paid or part-paid through a sponsorship arrangement

Additional Information

  • No cash alternatives will be offered for the fee discount or the travel payment.
  • Colchester Institute will provide the travel payment in the form of a bus pass, rail card or pre-paid fuel card.
  • Applicants must be able to provide evidence of conditions of the scholarship (household income).
  • In the event of not all NSPs being awarded in the first application cycle further information will be made available via our website.
  • Applicants will be advised if they will receive a scholarship in September 2013.
  • The fee discount will be removed from the total fee at enrolment and this information will be passed to Student Finance England to reduce the fee liability.
  • The £1,000 cash amount will be paid to successful applicants who are still in attendance in the May of their year of study.
  • All applications received by 31st May 2013 will be reviewed by a panel of staff from Colchester Institute. The panel will want to see that the applicant is keen to progress into higher education and aspires to working hard to achieve their full potential.

How to Apply

Applicants who meet the criteria above are invited to apply direct to Colchester Institute by completing the application form and submitting a reference and personal statement.

The reference should be no more than 200 words and be written by someone that knows you and your potential e.g. a teacher, employer or professional. References from family will not be accepted.

The personal statement should be up to 500 words and explain your reasons for wanting to study at Colchester Institute and why a scholarship would assist you.

Please remember before you apply for the NSP you must:

  • Have applied to Colchester Institute to study an undergraduate course in 2013-2014.
  • Have applied to Student Finance England for student finance.

Please send your completed application form, reference and personal statement to:
HE Admissions, Colchester Institute, Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex CO3 3LL or email to info@colchester.ac.uk

Download the National Scholarship Application form

If you have any queries about the NSP at Colchester Institute please ring 01206 712152 or email info@colchester.ac.uk. For information on applying for student finance please go to www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk.