Superior STEMBursary Fund

• Applicants must be aged 16 to 25.
• Applicants must be residents of a specific area in Dorset (check via this link) and plan to attend a STEM course at Bournemouth and Poole College, Brockenhurst College or Bourne Academy Sixth Form.
  <Link to map of eligible area>
• Students who have previously received a bursary can re-apply for funding in the following year if they will be studying at a higher academic level. Repeat applications will be considered a high priority.
• Applicants must live in a household with income of less than £30,000 or have other challenges, such as care leavers or cared for young people; those who have caring responsibilities for other members of their family; disabled young people and those with special educational needs
• Applicants must evidence financial need, this is overseen by their college and the information is passed to Dorset Community Foundation.
• Applicants must be supported and or approved by their college

Grants of up to £1,500 may be used to support essential costs associated with your course.

Examples include the full cost or a contribution towards:

• Travel
• Required equipment or clothing
• Essential study trips
• IT equipment

This list is not exhaustive and if you have an idea that fits within the scope of education or training, please discuss with a member of the grants team before making the application.

• Round 1 – Applications received by the October 7 will receive a decision by late November. We can support applicants with costs incurred from the end of Autumn half term to the end of their course
• Round 2 – Applications received by November 11 will receive a decision by late December. We can support applicants with costs incurred from the 1st of December to the end of their course

Students will be expected to provide feedback regarding the DCF Bursary Scheme and detail their progress and future plans, towards the end of their course.

The DCF Bursary scheme, awards made from it, and individual case studies, will be publicised.

Read the Superior STEM Bursary criteria before you apply.

Before making an application to the Superior STEM Bursary, students should contact their college to see if an application can be made for a government bursary. If the student is not eligible or needs additional financial help, they can apply to us.

Please apply through our online form via the button below.

The date you apply will affect how quickly you will receive a decision from us, and we cannot accept applications beyond the final deadline.