{"id":9141,"date":"2022-07-14T09:23:25","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T09:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/?p=9141"},"modified":"2022-07-14T16:28:50","modified_gmt":"2022-07-14T16:28:50","slug":"businesses-giving-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/2022\/07\/14\/businesses-giving-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Businesses Giving Back"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Since 2012 Santander Universities<\/a> has been enabling a number of students to study at Reading who otherwise may not be able to through the Santander Scholarship Scheme. This week, we speak to Vicky \u2013 one of the Scheme\u2019s recipients \u2013 about how the Scholarship changed her life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vicky thought she wouldn\u2019t be able to go to university after the sudden death of her father left her with no household income. Faced with the challenge of covering the gap between maintenance loans and the cost of living \u2013 during a time of immeasurable grief \u2013 Vicky felt out of her depth and overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cWhen my dad died it felt like everything was happening at once. I was at this crucial point in my life and suddenly he was gone. When I look back it feels like I was dreaming the whole time \u2013 I don\u2019t know how I got through it.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI kept thinking about my future and feeling guilty, as if I shouldn\u2019t be thinking like that. Sometimes I\u2019d remember when my sisters were at university and would call my dad and tell him they were in a tight spot and he\u2019d help them out. I knew I wouldn\u2019t be able to do that \u2013 there wasn\u2019t anyone who could help me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Vicky\u2019s remarkable determination during her A-Levels managed to secure her a place at Reading, however her financial circumstances continued to be an obstacle. She was able to apply for a scholarship funded by Santander Universities aimed to help students who are assessed to have no household income.<\/p>\n

A light at the end of the tunnel<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n

\u201cWhen I received the news about being awarded the Scholarship it made me feel like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. It didn\u2019t take away the feelings of grief \u2013 no amount of money could do that \u2013 but it felt like maybe there was someone who could help me after all.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In 2019, Vicky took up her place at Reading and received \u00a33,000 per year in funding for the duration of her studies. \u201cThe funding helped me in more ways than just paying bills, it made me feel more normal, like I could do the things other students could do. I met my best friends in my first year and they got me through some of the hardest times. They saved me \u2013 had I not chosen to go to university I would never have met them, and who knows where I\u2019d be,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the difference this kind of funding makes \u2013 it gives you hope and the opportunity to meet people that will change your life.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Before Vicky\u2019s father died she had her sights set on studying abroad during her degree, and after his death was unsure if the opportunity would be too much of a strain on her finances. However, with the help of the Scholarship, Vicky was able to achieve her ambitions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made it to Virginia!\u201d Vicky exclaimed. \u201cIt was the most amazing experience \u2013 one of the reasons I chose Reading as my first choice was because of the opportunity to study abroad.<\/p>\n

\n

“Going to America felt like I was finally doing what I had always dreamed of, it felt so surreal. Even after everything I had been through, I was achieving things I never thought would be possible.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cIf I could say anything to Santander it would be a huge thank you for everything, I\u2019m so grateful that you gave me a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The University would like to thank Santander Universities on behalf of Vicky and all the recipients who have benefitted from their incredible generosity.<\/p>\n

Find out more about how you can help support students at Reading<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Since 2012 Santander Universities has been enabling a number of students to study at Reading who otherwise may not be able to through the Santander Scholarship Scheme. This week, we speak to Vicky \u2013 one of the Scheme\u2019s recipients \u2013 about how the Scholarship changed her life.\u00a0 Vicky thought she wouldn\u2019t be able to go […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":9144,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"categories":[3],"tags":[21,22,148,112,147,62,56],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBusinesses Giving Back - Connected<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Santander Universities has been enabling a number of students to study at Reading through a scholarship scheme. 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