New bursary scheme for Glasgow students

Glasgow-based students seeking a spot at one of the city’s three universities are to be offered a helping hand financially.

Scotland’s biggest social landlord, Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), is to devote hundreds of thousands of pounds to helping tenants and their children with travel expenses, textbooks, childcare or other costs necessary for studies.

Bursaries of up to £1,500 will be handed to 200 students every year with the scheme open to anyone over 17 who lives in a GHA home and set to study at a higher education institution in Glasgow.

The initiative currently supports new students at Glasgow University but will be extended to include Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian from this year.

Craig Martin, 18, from Milton, is studying for an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering at Glasgow University.

He said: “I get a student loan, which I have to pay back, so the grant from GHA is very important – it would be hard for me to continue my studies without it.

“I’m funding myself, so any money coming in is a big help. I need the extra money for travel expenses, a laptop and text books – some books cost as much as £70.

“The grant will help a great deal towards my future learning.”

GHA Chair Gordon Sloan added: “We always want to extend opportunities to people from our communities and our Better Futures Fund helps us reach those who might not otherwise be able to benefit from higher education.

“It is another way for us to help break down barriers to people achieving their full potential.

“It was great to meet the students who are receiving our bursaries – and I wish them the best of luck with their studies.”

Iain Smith, vice-president of Glasgow University Students’ Representative Council (GUSRC), said: “GHA should be commended for reaching out to support young people who might not otherwise consider university as an option.”

Professor Graham Caie, Vice Principal of Glasgow University, said: “We are delighted to be a partner in this initiative.”

A few of the first seven full-time students at Glasgow to receive the grant (above) met with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last month.