Undergraduate Studies Bursary 2024-2025 Academic Year Cohort

Welcome to the application for the Undergraduate Studies Bursary. This cost of living bursary is for high-potential, low-income Gibraltar students that have been accepted to out of country universities and who may not be able to attend university outside of Gibraltar due to cost of living. The bursary is administered by the Barzilai Foundation Trust and EV Foundation Trust in collaboration with Bayside School, Westside School and Gibraltar College, sponsored by the Barzilai Foundation Trust.

On this page we will provide an overview of the bursary program, details on qualification criteria, access to our privacy policy an application form to apply for the bursary and bursary funding guidelines. Application provided will be used by the selection committee to determine an applicant's qualification and select recipients.

The bursary application will be open through July 15th, 2024. The selection committee will award up to 8 annual bursaries. Bursaries may renew for up to 3 years of university study, requiring continued enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.

These bursaries are for students who have successfully completed studies at partner schools within the past two years (Bayside School, Westside School, Gibraltar College of further education).

Applicants are not eligible if they do not apply for and/or are not approved for the ‘Mandatory’ Award offered by the (HM) Government of Gibraltar (proof of application is required).

Demonstration of Financial Need:

The Barzilai Foundation Undergraduate Studies Bursary is for individuals who have a financial need that may create a barrier to accessing higher education. These bursaries are limited to individuals who can demonstrate financial need and the potential to be successful in their university degree programs. In this section we will provide you with a general definition of financial need. If you feel you possess a financial need, please provide details in this section. If you are selected as a recipient, you may be asked to provide supporting proof income or of financial need.

Definition of financial need:

Financial need refers to the requirement for adequate funds to meet daily living expenses and achieve financial stability. This includes expenses such as housing, food, transport and other essential needs. It is difficult to determine a specific monetary amount that constitutes financial need in Gibraltar as it can vary greatly depending on an individual's or family's circumstances. However, a household's income should be sufficient to cover their basic living expenses, with some room for savings and emergency funds.

Data Usage and Privacy

We take your privacy very seriously. Please visit https://barzilaifoundation.org/privacy-policy, to view our privacy policy as it contains important information on who we are and how and why we collect, store, use and share your personal information. It also explains your rights in relation to your personal information and how to contact us or supervisory authorities in the event you have a complaint.

Bursary Application

As part of the application review process, we will be evaluating several areas including: applicant’s financial need, overall character, academic performance relative to their potential, behaviour history and the quality of the application. We will work with referrers to provide information as necessary.

The application will collect basic information about you (Questions 1-11). An opportunity to provide context on any personal qualifications that the applicant feels warrants special consideration or explanation (Questions 12-17). And information regarding an applicants financial need (Questions 18-22).

Questions marked with an asterisk* are required and application can not be submitted until they are completed. Some questions have word count parameters, responses that do not fall within these parameters will not be considered completed or reviewed.

By submitting an application, you confirm that your answers are true and accurate to the best of your knowledge, and that you have read and agree all terms and conditions on this page including bursary fund guidelines below, as well as our privacy policy linked above.

1. First Name *

2. Last Name *

3. Date of Birth *

4. Email Address (Use an address you check regularly as this will be used to communicate with you about your application): *

5. Are you currently living in Gibraltar? *

6. School: *

7. Current Enrollment Status: *

8. Please provide your GSCEs and A-levels taken and the grades received. *

9. This bursary is intended for all students who have a desire to pursue higher education abroad and are facing financial barriers. If your grades are below a B average on your A-levels or 5 average on your GCSE's you must provide a letter of reference from a current or past teacher to be considered for the bursary. There is no mandatory pass grade averages to be eligible for the bursary, but for applicants below these levels the bursary team would like additional insight into the applicant. The letter should highlight the applicants work ethic, character and potential. Please send the letter of reference as a word or pdf document to, info@barzilaifoundation.org no later than July 15 2024. Please check below to indicate you have read and understand this requirement. (Note any applicant may submit a letter of reference as part of their application). *

I have read and understand the requirement regarding a letter of reference.

10. Who referred you to this bursary program (Name / Position)? *

11. Have you been accepted to or applied to an international university? If yes, which university(ies)? *

12. How has your past academic performance measured up to your academic ability? Any special achievements, or circumstances you would like the selection committee to consider? (min. 100 words, max. 250 words): *

13. How has your history of attendance and behaviour demonstrated your integrity and desire to succeed. Any special achievements, or circumstances you would like the selection committee to consider? If you have disciplinary action on your record or lower than 85% attendance please provide context that would help explain and allow the selection committee to look past those circumstances (min 150 words, max 250 words): *

14. Do you have work experience? If yes, please provide brief details (maximum 250 words): *

15. What is your intended area of study and how do you see this fitting into your future career path? (min 250 words, max 600 words): *

16. Do you have other special circumstances that you would like the selection committee to consider in either relation to your need or qualification as a candidate (such as you are a carer for younger siblings or an elderly grandparent) (maximum 500 words): *

17. Please describe why you are the right candidate for this bursary, substantiate this with past performance and other notable considerations that shows your motivation and desire to fulfill your potential (min 250 words, max 600 words): *

18. What is your current annual household income (all income earners)? *

19. What is your personal annual income? *

20. How many members in your household? *

21. Please provide a short narrative to demonstrate your financial need. This should include household income in relation to financial needs, and may include items such as total dependents, loss of parent, siblings at university or other factors that are relevant to your ability to fund education. (min 100 words, max 500 words): *

22. If selected as a bursary recipient, are you able to provide any documentation that would substantiate financial need? (e.g. tax returns or other similar documentation): *

Bursary Disbursement Guidelines

Bursary funds can only be used for approved expenses related to ongoing studies at university. Guidelines for bursary fund uses are outlined below. Students who are no longer enrolled in university program must return any unused, disbursed funds. Students who do not complete their program of study may not use bursary funds to pay off any debts associated with university enrollment, including but not limited to; government grants, student loans, consumer or personal loans.

The below guidelines for bursary award funding are to provide applicants with information as to they types of spending reimbursed and the amounts. These are not a commitment of funds and all amounts are "up-to" values, only realized expenditures will be reimbursed. Funding amounts and categories are up to the sole discretion of the Bursary Management team and may require proof of expenditure by the recipient.

All applicants who are selected to receive a bursary MUST attend a group info session that will provide further detail on the disbursement process as well as how to communicate with the bursary management team. Recipients will take a group photo at the event that will be part of the announcement of this years cohort.

The bursary management team will follow up with individual recipients to check in on academic performance, progress and continued enrolment throughout the academic year. Compliance with this is mandatory for the continuation of the bursary. Also, understanding the impact of the bursary is critical to our continuance of the program, recipients will be asked to share how the bursary has created impact for them during their degree program.

Disbursement Guidelines:

Term 1: Up to £3,200

Startup Costs
- Initial Accommodation Deposit: Up to £300
- Upfront costs: Up to £1,500
  - Recommendation for how this breaks down:
    - Initial house supplies (e.g., houseware, groceries): Up to £600
    - Initial education supplies (e.g., laptop, course supplies): Up to £900
- All receipts for the costs above should be handed in 3 weeks after start date. Should they not, all grants that follow would be put on hold or declined.
Ongoing Costs
- Cost of living stipend: £900 (£75/week) for weeks spent abroad during academic year.
- Up to £500 one off costs (e.g., unexpected travel, parent/guardian travel).
  - At discretion of Foundation, should be applied for before spending.

Term 2: Up to £900

Cost of living stipend: £900 (£75/week) for weeks spent abroad during academic year.

Term 3: Up to £900

Cost of living stipend: £900 (£75/week) for weeks spent abroad during academic year.