The Adam Smith Foundation, Fife College’s scholarship programme, has enjoyed a bumper year with a record number of students applying and being awarded scholarships.
Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, the programme awarded scholarship funds with a total value of £176k to over 200 students during the 2019/20 academic year – up 16% on the previous year and the highest amount ever.
Thanks to new online applications forms and increased promotion, the scholarship programme received an amazing 884 applications throughout the year. This is more than double the number received last year and the highest amount ever recorded.
One of the College’s largest value scholarships, funded through the Russell Trust, also enjoyed a record-breaking year, with 429 applications leading to 108 students receiving a scholarship in recognition of their hard work and commitment.
Another highlight of the year was long time donor and world-renowned crime writer Ian Rankin, ‘zooming in’ to award scholarships online during lockdown while giving some words of support to those students receiving his scholarship.
The Adam Smith Foundation scholarship programme was created to support students, to develop opportunities, open doors and transform lives. As one of the largest college scholarship programmes in Scotland, the programme has awarded 1,470 scholarships with a total value of £690,000 since it began 23 years ago.
Marianne Philp, Director: Governance and Compliance at Fife College, oversees the programme. Marianne said:
“We are delighted that our scholarships are providing vital funds and opportunities to a record number of students, and at a time when they need it more than ever.
“Despite the challenges faced by all of us in recent months, we’re extremely proud that we have been able to enjoy our most successful year so far, due in no small part to the amazing generosity of our wide range of donors - from global companies and small businesses to funding bodies and individuals.
“We are now looking forward to making awards to many more students during the new academic year. The year ahead will also see the launch of some exciting new scholarships and initiatives, some of which will focus on supporting students and industries directly affected by the COVID pandemic, helping them to achieve their goals.”
For further details about scholarships at Fife College, visit the Adam Smith Foundation page or email scholarships@fife.ac.uk.
Further highlights from the last six months of the Adam Smith Foundation can be viewed in the latest Scholarship Update.
