Will you help students at Leeds follow their dreams?
Estranged from my family and alone in a refuge, the only thing I had left was a dream to study Astrophysics at Leeds.
Fabiha’s story is one of remarkable determination – but it also highlights just how hard it is for a growing number of students to follow their dreams of studying at Leeds.
As the Director of Educational Engagement at the University of Leeds, it’s my privilege to lead the team which helps students facing the toughest situations
The financial and social barriers some students face grow bigger and more daunting every year
Like Fabiha, some of these students may not have family to ask for help through a crisis – financially or emotionally. Some may have been in the care system, while others may come from low-income backgrounds or be the first in their family to consider university. And, with the rising cost of living, more students than ever are struggling to make ends meet
Last year we helped 1 in 5 students who applied for a scholarship. Please will you give today so we can help more students like Fabiha?
You may remember that taking your first steps at university can be incredibly daunting. Can you imagine if you also had to worry about how you will pay your food and bills? Or whether you’ll have enough money for textbooks, let alone socialising? Can you see why, for some, studying for a degree feels out of reach?
That’s why the scholarship of £3,000 a year is so important. With this funding, students full of potential can accept their place at Leeds. Yet this is only possible thanks to generous donations from supporters like you.
With a scholarship, students like Fabiha can focus on their studies without endless worry and stress and make the most of all the opportunities on offer. Whether that’s getting involved with a society, attending a conference or study event, or taking advantage of travel related to their course.
This May, the dreams of so many students depend on your gift of a scholarship. Please will you give whatever you can afford before 31 July 2024?
I do my job because I am passionate about equality of opportunity. If someone has the dream and potential to succeed at university, I want them to have that chance. I hope you agree.
Together, we can make it affordable for more students like Fabiha to follow their dreams.
Thank you,
Louise Banahene
Director of Educational Engagement
Before Fabiha came to Leeds, a month before her A Levels, aged just 18 she found herself alone in a women's refuge. Her parents disapproved of her relationship, meaning it was no longer safe for her at home. She had to leave everything she had ever known behind.
Watch Fabiha's story:
For someone who has never had to support themselves before, finding herself alone in a women's refuge was incredibly scary. Fabiha's pure determination to live life for herself is what got her through, and despite the challenges she faced, she made the decision to apply for a scholarship at Leeds so she could study Astrophysics.
“I came to university with just £40 to my name and used to worry so much about money. Now I have a safety net for when times get tough. I can buy textbooks and fresh food, including fresh fruit and vegetables, rather than relying on 50p supermarket pizzas."
Fabiha's scholarship has been life-changing. It's given her the time to focus on her studies and opened many doors to new and exciting experiences, including becoming the president of the Vertical Fitness Society which boosted her confidence and well-being. This has all been made possible thanks to the Leeds supporter community.
It's such a blessing to know that there are so many supporters who believe that my personal circumstances shouldn't limit what I can achieve. I hope you can give that chance to another student like me."
“There's so much I would love to do when I graduate I can't choose! All I know is that I plan on being remarkable."
Your gift for students like Fabiha...
- £100 could support a student during their first week as they plan the equipment they’ll need and the societies they want to join – so they can make the most of everything on offer at Leeds.
- £250 could pay for 20 students to attend a scholarships social event – helping them to settle in and build a support community so they can thrive and follow their dreams at University.
- £500 could cover essential costs so a student can take advantage of opportunities such as interviews, conferences or overseas trips – helping them to develop vital skills and gain life-changing experiences.
- £1,000 could support a student through their first term at Leeds, helping them to cover their living costs as they find their footing, discover their passions and immerse themselves in University life.
By giving today you will support students who;
- Are from low-income households, whose families aren't able to cover the rising cost of living and studying away from home;
- Are the first in their family to go to university or come from a school or area where not many people go into higher education. They might find it harder to feel like they belong or believe they can succeed at university;
- Have been in care or estranged from their families and may lack the support networks required, both financial and personal, to take on the challenges of university life;
- Have caring responsibilities, which might make focusing on their studies difficult and the need for financial security all the more important;
- Have refugee or humanitarian status. Having to already overcome incredible barriers already to come to Leeds, these students will have to juggle settling into university life and their studies whilst also adapting to a new country, language and culture.
Please give today
Every scholarship you help to give is a life-changing chance for one more student.
Why give a regular gift by direct debit?
By choosing to give regularly by direct debit, you will help us to;
- Look to the future and ensure that more students like Fabiha can be provided with a scholarship.
- Be bold in our approaches to the increasing demand for support and flexible to meet students’ changing needs. Whether that’s to support their wellbeing, academic achievement or even career aspirations.
You’ll join a community of almost 2,000 alumni and supporters who are behind students like Fabiha every step of the way. From taking up their place at Leeds, all the way through to the day they don their graduation gown and take steps into their careers.
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