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Isabella's story

"York St John University was always my first choice. When I attended an Open Day back in 2017, I felt accepted and as if I belonged from the get-go. At the time, I was experiencing an issue that is unique to those in foster care – I was coming straight from a respite placement to meet my carers at the event. When I presented myself to the people at reception after entering the Open Day, they were extremely receptive and didn't question why I had a large suitcase with me.

When I returned several years later, I had become a care leaver and found myself aging out of the additional funding my home council had provided me with. I ended up applying for a scholarship in the second year of my degree and was successful. With it, I have been able to purchase a bus pass and ensure that travel to campus has been covered, year-round. I do not live in York as I cannot access accommodation there. In addition to this, I have been able to purchase more resources to help with my learning and continuous personal development, which has enabled me to look further into the future at my career prospects. I am looking to become a social worker and am currently undertaking work experience to achieve that.

Without that scholarship, I don't think I can truthfully say that I would still be in education. It has been a lifeline for my university experience and has enabled me to achieve far more than I would have expected. I feel that I would have been in a position where I was choosing between living and studying, and no student deserves to be in that position.

With the support of the scholarship, I have been able to access York St John in all ways possible, and I cannot thank the donors enough."

Isabella, Psychology with Child Development