Horizon Fund offers students a helping hand

Staffordshire University students in need of a helping hand have been given a cash boost to support their studies

Students across Staffordshire University have been awarded bursaries and scholarships through the Horizon Fund thanks to the generosity of donations from high profile supporters as well as contributions from staff, alumni and members of the public.

This includes the Denise Coates Foundation, the fund’s longest standing major donor, which has provided significant support for high-achieving students from low-income families in the region since 2013. Other donors include the ACH Crisford Charitable Foundation and philanthropist Ashwin Kagdadia.

Sherry Matthews is among the first students to receive a Social Action Bursary funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to support students on the new BA (Hons) Action on Poverty and Hardship degree.

The 29-year-old from Newcastle-Under-Lyme said: “I’m really passionate about this course because I’ve been there. We didn’t have much growing up but having that first-hand experience along with the skills from this degree means that I will be able to help others in the same situation.”

Sherry, who has an 11-year-old son, will continue working as a Nursing Assistant at Royal Stoke Hospital alongside her studies but can now drop a day at work to volunteer with the Alice Charity.

“The bursary takes the pressure off and that’s why I appreciate having it. I can use it to get things like books for my course and I don’t have to stress as much about money. It gives me the freedom to spend more time studying and with my son.”

Daniel Cotton, 22-year-old from Kidsgrove, has received a PGCE bursary to support his teacher training in Sport and Exercise.

Daniel has a two-year-old daughter and hopes the bursary will help him manage study, work and family commitments. He said: “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher so I’m really looking forward to doing my PCGE and hopefully getting a job in the local area. The bursary will be a helping hand with things like transport and equipment I need for my course. I don’t have a laptop so being able to buy one and crack on with assessments wherever I am will definitely help.

“This extra funding is great, especially for young parents like me who also have families. It will help to keep me motivated and focussed so that I can do well on my course.”

Since 2013, the Horizon Fund has been helping students to achieve their potential in a variety of ways, from overcoming financial hardship to taking on new opportunities. During that time more than 2,000 students have received bursaries, scholarships or opportunity awards ranging in value from £20 to £2,000

Deborah Sanderson, Head of Development and Alumni Relations, said: “We know that coming to university can sometimes be expensive. The Horizon Fund helps to remove financial barriers so that students can make the most of their university experience and aim high.

“We invest in students so that they can invest in themselves. Thanks to the support from all our donors so many more people are able to realise their dreams and ambitions.”

Find out how you can support the Horizon Fund and make a donation at https://giving.staffs.ac.uk/ or read more about undergraduate bursaries and scholarships.

Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.  

We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.  

We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020. 
 
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries. 

We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.