Our scholars' stories
Read about the impact of the Opportunity Scholarship on four of our students to see the difference it can make.
Tina, James, Courtney and Sameer are Opportunity Scholars.
You may have read about Tina in a message that we sent to you.
Just as Tina is making the most of this opportunity and her scholarship, others are too.
Here we share an insight into their individual stories which show the impact that funding from donations can really have on students from a range of backgrounds.
Tina's story
Tina’s childhood was challenging. It involved relocation and the only school available was a long commute.
At home, she worked hard to study but faced many barriers.
Tina had little access to Wi-Fi and home computing equipment, affecting the quality of her education. With her father sadly passing away while she was still at school, Tina became a carer for her mother, who required support with deciphering bills and translating documents.
These extra responsibilities and hurdles to face did not deter Tina.
She worked hard to come to Loughborough and was awarded an Opportunity Scholarship, completing a brilliant first year at university.
The Opportunity Scholarship has helped Tina to have a smooth transition into university life and it means a lot to her.
“Receiving the scholarship affirmed my dedication to learning. This has empowered me to embrace a journey of self-discovery and growth at university.
“I have been able to focus on pushing boundaries, exploring outside of my comfort zone without having to worry about the financial stress that often accompanies such endeavours.”
She’s thrown herself into life at Loughborough, getting involved in cultural societies such as the Malaysian and Singaporean society, and is finding her feet in the volunteering section at the Students’ Union. Excited to get even more involved in her second year, Tina’s Opportunity Scholarship means that she doesn’t have to worry about financial burdens on her or her family. She can embrace what university has to offer. She can push boundaries, make great connections, attend course related conferences and extra-curricular events, and challenge herself.
The things that some students may take for granted – such as transporting belongings and getting to Loughborough – have been made much easier with the financial support provided by the alumni who gifted her scholarship.
She has been able to purchase computing devices that will aid her course work, and she is enjoying developing skills in graphic software and collaborating with fellow students on her Product Design Engineering degree.
Tina is excited to continue her journey and follow her dream towards becoming a design engineer.
The impact on James, Courtney and Sameer
James's story
James is a mature student with a passion for psychology.
Reflecting on his life in the few years before he began his studies at Loughborough, James realised he wanted to make changes to achieve fulfilment. He wanted to find a new path, explore new opportunities, and find a way to support other people.
Benefiting from the physical and mental effects of sport and exercise, James felt that Loughborough would be a great fit for this new chapter in his life. But before his Sport and Exercise Psychology course started in 2022, James was worried about how he would survive financially whilst studying.
The moment that James achieved the Opportunity Scholarship was life changing.
With the financial support awarded to him, James was able to carefully consider where he would seek part-time work and how he would manage his time to make the most out of life at Loughborough.
James has certainly thrown himself into everything that university has to offer.
He has won a Course Representative of the Year award and is a co-ordinator for mental health support group, #Me. He has integrated into life at university, developed study skills, and presented in front of 200 people from his course on several occasions.
James has already achieved so much in his first year at Loughborough.
The financial stability that the Opportunity Scholarship has afforded James has given him the chance to give time to peers. The award given for his voluntary work as a course representative recognises the time he has given to fellow students adapting to the course and to university.
The support of generous donations means that James is leading a fulfilling life at university, and not only is he benefiting, but he is also paying that forward to others.
Thanking his donor, James said:
The support you provide really does make a difference and enables me to maximise my time here.
Seeing your willingness to reach out and help others also encourages me to reach out and help the next person.
James is looking forward to his next couple of years at Loughborough with the peace of mind that he can dedicate time to his studies and to gaining relevant experiences that will support his ambition of becoming a psychologist.
Courtney's story
Working hard to turn her life experiences in something positive, Courtney came to Loughborough in 2021 to study Psychology with Criminology.
Courtney grew up alongside her brother in a single-parent family.
When she was awarded an Opportunity Scholarship, Courtney was able to feel excited about starting university and no longer felt concerned or guilty about the potential strain that it may have put on her mother. She said:
To receive university education is such a privilege and something I only ever hoped I could be successful in. The kindness of the donation has sincerely given me a new lease of life.
The Opportunity Scholarship has helped Courtney to get involved in activities that have benefited her mental health and supported her opportunity to socialise and make friends. Recently diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, Courtney used some of her scholarship to fund tests. The results have been a weight off her shoulders and have given her a new understanding of herself.
Sameer's story
Worried about the thought of the expenses associated with attending university, the Opportunity Scholarship has enabled Sameer to really enjoy his time at Loughborough so far.
Growing up, Sameer’s family experienced a range of distressing and difficult events – not least his mother becoming ill and other key members of his family passing away.
The years during which Sameer was studying for GCSEs and A Levels weren’t the easiest. There was a lot of emotional stress, but despite this, he worked hard and achieved his place at university.
From a low-income background, Sameer’s Opportunity Scholarship has meant that he can confidently get involved in everything at Loughborough and set himself on a new track.
Sameer is studying Economics, and he is also a talented badminton player. Training and competing for the University, Sameer was able to give more time to his sport during his first year at university than he expected. To support himself financially, he expected to have to work many hours alongside his studies and training to stay afloat.
Now, with the financial support offered to Sameer through the scholarship, he has been able to dedicate time to his studies and badminton, go to the gym, and is enjoying learning to cook – and he is not having to rely on his family.
With everything he has learned in the first two years of his degree, Sameer is now on placement, ready to gain valuable experience in his chosen field, and he is determined to build a great career that he can continue following the final year of his degree.
The Opportunity Scholarship enables many students like Tina, James, Courtney and Sameer to relax into student life and really enjoy their time at Loughborough.
The scholarships are not possible without generous donations to the University. Please consider making a donation if you can, and if you have any questions, get in touch. Thank you.
