I am currently study a Media Production bachelors honours degree at the University of Lincoln.

My first year is almost complete and I can say it has been a memorable and enjoyable learning curve filled with a number of amazing new experiences. This year has really enlightened me about what I would like to achieve in my future career path.

I am at the University of Leeds Studying Criminal Justice and Criminology and I’m having such a good time as there is always something to do. I have joined the Law Society and the Criminal Justice Society which run trips to courts and prisons that will be both interesting and a great help. Then of course there’s the social scene which is great! 

I’m studying hard; the work is so interesting, and working in groups has helped me make new friends. I also find the support really good; this makes it impossible to feel lonely despite the size of the city. I meet with my peer mentor once a week who is a second year student on the same course; she has been really helpful getting me settled in.   

Thanks to The Connolly Foundation I’ve really found my feet at uni and I’m loving it!

I am following my degree at Lancaster University. Starting University is a big thing with a mixture of nerves plus a lot of excitement. I tried to make my first few weeks go as smoothly as possible. You're given a lot of information during freshers week, some important, some rubbish and some very scary!

For most people I imagine money problems throughout university would constantly be on their mind, but thankfully for me, The Connolly Foundation award meant that I could focus on getting settled into uni life without these worries. I am really grateful for all The Foundation's support!

The grant helped pay for my large book bill within the first few weeks plus essentials like food shopping. I have been at Lancaster for nearly a month now, and am thoroughly enjoying myself!

My a levels were Sociology A, Biology C, Chemistry D and General studies C and I am studying Biomedical Science at the University of London; my subsequent aim is to do dentistry as a post graduate.

The Connolly Foundation support has been unbelievably helpful; for starters the funds meant I had my own money which I could budget for getting to and from school and this saved my mother dropping me off and picking me up.

It also allowed me to go on an extremely beneficial school trip to Sheringham, something I would have struggled to pay for if it wasn't for the scholarship and it helped pay for school essentials such as pens, paper and printer ink.

This student page is a great idea, not only to keep in contact about career progression but also to talk to people in similar circumstances - so it has my full backing!!

I was fortunate enough to receive a grant of £1000 from The Connolly Foundation in my first year at the University of Durham in 2008. Often the vast costs of living and tuition fees prove too much for a young person to bear, as is arguably reflected in ‘drop out‘ rates for students entering higher education.

The scholarship provided me with ample support throughout the year. I used the money to pay for all of my academic needs such as text books, a printer and a laptop. Further, it paid for other requirements such as robes, maintenance fees and all of my transport expenses.

Words cannot convey how much this scholarship has aided not only myself, but other peers in a similar financial situation. This year I achieved four firsts and two 2:1’s (BA- Sociology). Without The Connolly Foundation none of this would be possible.

I received a grant for £700. I applied for the grant to help out buying software and equipment for my journalism course.

The cost of equipment was one of the many obstacles I faced in my journey to university. So you can imagine my overwhelming happiness on results day when I found out that The Connolly Foundation had awarded me the grant.

Without the money from The Connolly Foundation I wouldn’t have been able to get good quality audio recordings from interviews. The rest of the money I have put aside in the hope that I can raise enough money to buy a video recorder as well.

The Connolly Foundation really helped me out financially in getting the best start for my course. I was at Sharnbrook for 5 years and the school gives its students so much in their academic career that it would be nice to give something back. One way we can do this is stay in touch with The Connolly Foundation who are dedicated to helping schools in the area. 

The Connolly Foundation awarded me £1000, which is absolutely fantastic! I am so grateful for this huge help.

The money will go towards my books for the next three years, as I am going to read Law. I'd like to thank everyone at The Connolly Foundation for this, as it really will make a difference, and without it, I wouldn't of been able to afford the books! 

I think this student page is a great idea, as it is a good way of The Foundation keeping in touch with beneficiaries and therein how the money has helped them

I also think that it would be inspirational to future beneficiaries, as it will be able to show them what they might be able to achieve, in light of what others have, with the help from The Foundation.

I am a former student of Stratton Upper School and now attend the University of Hertfordshire. So far, my time at University has been an amazing learning experience. I have made life long friends and met great people who have made an impact on my life.

My courses are great; I am particularly enjoying the philosophy and the world war one modules. I am looking forward to next semester when I start looking at the meaning of life in philosophy. I hope to continue my studies and research and would like to say a big thank you to The Connolly Foundation for being there to support my endeavors.

I am currently studying an Art and Design Foundation Degree at The London College of Fashion. Foundation Degree students are not eligible for grants or loans, but most universities require students to have this qualification before accepting them onto art based degrees.
 
I am extremely grateful to have received £1000 from The Connolly Foundation this year as it has enabled me to live in London, pay for the extensive amount of materials I need as part of the course and do things like explore the many art galleries London has to offer. I am only at the end of the first term but I am really enjoying the course and the experience of living independently. I have been able to gain extra skills and knowledge in the subject that will help me in the future.
 
Thank you Connolly Foundation! You've made a big difference and I hope others, with your support, are able to do things that they otherwise couldn't afford.

I gained an unconditional offer to study BA Honours Fine Art at Winchester School of Art. With my Connolly Foundation grant I was able to pay my studio levy fees which meant I had access to all the equipment and materials in the arts department.

I was able to go on the college's annual trip to Paris, which was incredible; the art galleries and museums were hugely inspiring to me. I was also able to afford trips to London art galleries as well as purchasing a much needed digital camera.

During my time at Wincester School of Art I'm aiming to continue my studies with a great level of commitment, passion and determination!