National Express Foundation is just the ticket for South Essex students
Sixty students from South Essex College are to benefit from bursaries and awards after the National Express Foundation announced the college will receive a £30,000 grant over the next three years.
In the first wave of charitable awards from the charity set up by National Express, the parent company of south Essex train operator c2c, South Essex College successfully applied for funding to provide a bursary toward travel costs for adult students facing social or financial barriers to continuing their education.
The £30,000 grant will be spent on:
- £500 bursaries for 13 Further Education students a year for the next three years, targeting adult students studying Access to Higher Education Diplomas and Foundation Diplomas in Art and Design
- £500 bursaries for six Higher Education students for the duration of their three-year degree programmes
- £100 special awards for five Further Education students a year for the next three years
Lesley Dorrington, a National Express Foundation trustee and c2c employee, said: "As a major employer in south Essex, we take our local responsibilities seriously. We know that financial and social pressures can be a deterrent to people continuing their education, and that's why we are delighted to announce this funding to help local students from South Essex College."
South Essex College's Principal and Chief Executive, Angela O'Donoghue, added: "Every year the College receives a huge number of applications for discretionary bursaries highlighting the financial barriers that students often face. Travel expenses can be a big concern, particularly for older learners returning to education, so it's fantastic that this funding will allow us to support three times the number of students in Further Education who otherwise may not be able to afford it."
South Essex College has campuses in Basildon, Southend and Thurrock which are all linked by c2c services. Students from South Essex College's Fine Art Extended Diploma course recently designed a mural for Leigh-on-Sea station, which greeted visitors to the station for the mountain-biking Olympic event at Hadleigh Farm.
The next round of funding grants from the National Express Foundation will open for applications early next year.