WSC Education Opportunity Trust

Encouraging self-help by giving students the opportunity to widen their horizons

We provide financial grants to students or alumni for educational projects to assist and enhance their educational experience and its application to the outside world.

Educational Grants for Students

For past and present, higher and further education students of West Suffolk College.

The WSC Education Opportunity Trust offers financial grants to students and former students who are studying, or have studied, as further or higher education students within educational institutions that form part of the Eastern Education Group, to assist such persons in enhancing their educational experience and its application to the outside world.

Other than in the most exceptional cases, grants will not be made to cover tuition fees; day to day maintenance; costs incurred in meeting course requirements such as materials, equipment or travel and accommodation; nor in cases where funds can be accessed from other sources such as maintenance grants, access funds or state benefits. Successful grants typically amount to between £200 and £1,000 depending on the nature of the proposal.

Subject to that, the usual criteria for gaining support from the Trust will be whether the applicant will gain educational benefit in the widest sense by for example pursuing an extra-curricular project. The Trustees also expect applicants to demonstrate how, if a grant is made to them, they will share their experiences of ways in which the grant benefitted them with the wider College community. If you would like to have an informal discussion about your application then please do not hesitate to contact the trustees via email to pam.ewan@wsc.ac.uk.

If an applicant is under 18 when making an application we ask that the application is counter signed by a parent or guardian to acknowledge his/her consent to the making of the application and approval of the proposed project. The decision of the Trustees when determining an application is final and binding and should the application be unsuccessful no correspondence or discussion will be entered into to clarify or otherwise explain that decision.

Flowchart to help you apply to WSC Education Opportunity Trust

Grant Application Form

Some of the students who we've helped

Sarah’s trip to Socotra to experience a rich source of materials for her illustrations

Sarah completed a BA (Hons) in Art Practice and was supported by WSC Education Opportunity Trust to travel to the island of Socotra

Sarah said “In March 2022, I travelled to the island of Socotra, an island in the Indian ocean that lies off the coast of Yemen and Somalia. There were many reasons why I wanted to visit this isolated place. Firstly, it has a high number of endemic species of flora and fauna that are at risk due to various reasons, including climate change, and a fascinating history of some of these plants being an important source of valuable incense that supplied the Greek and Roman Empires.

Secondly, the Socotri language is preliterate. A rich history of reciting poetry and storytelling amongst Socotri people, coupled with stories of spirits and magical creatures, sparked my creative interest as a rich source of material for my illustration work. “

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Cameron's photography dreams come true

Cameron was a Higher Education student in Graphic Design at West Suffolk College who was given the opportunity to attend Latitude and Glastonbury with a backstage pass to photograph the artists before, during and after their performances. In order to make this happen he needed some financial support to go the events with the correct kit and equipment, and the Trust was able to support Cameron to attend the festivals photographing acts such as Mumford and Sons and Adele.

Daniel's art exhibition is made a reality

Daniel Howe completed a Foundation Course in Art and Design in 2016. He was supported by WSC Education Opportunity Trust in organising an art exhibition in Bury St Edmunds to display his own work and that of his student peers.

Daniel said: “The Trust’s generous funding allowed me and the organising team to create a week-long event that enthused a whole group of new artists to create serious work for public exhibition. As the organiser, I have personally benefited from the organisational and leadership skills that developed further throughout the process that I will be able to take with me wherever I go throughout my student and adult life.”

Daniel progressed to study BA (Hons) Sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art (University of Edinburgh) in September 2016.