Twelve young people from low-income households have been awarded scholarships worth £216,000 in total, providing financial support as they begin higher education at universities in the UK. Eleven of the recipients come from London communities where housing association L&Q provides social and affordable housing, including Brixton, Ealing and Woolwich.
The awards are intended to reduce some of the financial pressure associated with university study. Each scholar will receive £6,000 a year for three years towards university costs. The package also includes mentoring and networking opportunities, giving recipients support beyond the direct payment and helping them develop connections that may be useful after graduation.
Support linked to household circumstances
The programme is open to L&Q residents living in social or affordable rented homes. It was established in 2017 to help students from less privileged backgrounds continue their education and choose a university and subject according to their ambitions, rather than the resources available to their household.
For students preparing to enter higher education, a contribution of £18,000 over three years can make a material difference to the cost of taking a degree. The funding does not remove every expense associated with university, but it provides a defined source of support throughout the standard scholarship period. The arrangement may also offer greater certainty when students and their families are planning for university.
| Scholarship detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number of new recipients | 12 |
| Total value | £216,000 |
| Annual contribution per student | £6,000 |
| Length of support | Three years |
| Programme launched | 2017 |
Mentoring alongside financial help
L&Q said the scheme is designed to combine money for university costs with guidance and access to networks. That approach reflects the practical challenges faced by students who may need both financial assistance and support as they move into higher education and prepare for life after graduation.
- Recipients will receive an annual contribution towards university costs.
- The support will continue for three years.
- Scholars will also have access to mentoring and networking opportunities.
- The scheme has supported 41 students since it began.
The fund is named after Turlogh O’Brien, L&Q’s former chairman and a lifelong advocate for educational opportunity. Its funding comes from the housing association’s supply chain partners: Axis, Equans, Enigma Security Solutions, Ideal Heating, Lovell Renew, Sureserve and United Infrastructure.
Matt Corbett, director of L&Q Foundation, said the programme reflected a responsibility to invest in communities and create routes for residents to succeed. He described the partnership behind the scheme as a way of delivering social value and reducing barriers for talented young people.
“Whilst ambition is everywhere, opportunity doesn’t always follow.”
One of the new scholars, Marisa, is due to begin studying at the University of Exeter after completing two years of sixth-form study. She said the scholarship marked the start of a new chapter and recognised the hard work, resilience and determination involved in reaching university.
The latest awards bring the number of students supported by the programme since its launch to 41. For the new recipients, the combination of a multi-year contribution, mentoring and networking will provide structured assistance as they begin their degrees. The scheme also highlights how housing organisations and their commercial partners can use education funding to address financial obstacles facing residents who want to enter higher education.
