Supporting Communities Scholarship Fund 2026
Supporting Communities
Apply Now - Urgent!Ready to ease uni costs and jumpstart your future? Apply for the Supporting Communities Scholarship for Year 14 Ballymena students heading to Queen’s or Ulster to study STEM or business (including accounting). Secure funding and reduce financial pressure — apply by 10 July 2026.
Supporting Communities is offering a scholarship fund for Year 14 (Upper Sixth) students in the Ballymena area who are planning to start university in Northern Ireland in September/October 2026. The scholarship is aimed at students taking their next step into higher education and is designed to reduce financial pressure while they study.
The fund is specifically for applicants to Queen's University Belfast or Ulster University who plan to study STEM, Business-related degrees including Accountancy, or Agriculture. Arts, Medicine, Health, and Sports/physical fitness-related courses are not eligible.
Successful applicants will receive £1,500 per year for up to four years, plus a one-off £1,000 grant at the beginning of the scholarship to help with essential IT or technology purchases. Applicants must be 18+ by 30 June 2026, attend one of the named Ballymena-area schools, live in the former Ballymena council area, and have predicted grades of at least three Bs.
They must also meet at least one financial or household circumstance criterion, such as being in a Universal Credit household, living in social housing, being part of a single-parent household, or having a combined household income below £40,000.
10 Jul 2026
September/October 2026 Entry
Location
- Be aged 18+ by or on 30 June 2026.
- Be attending one of the following schools as a Year 14 A-level student: Ballymena Academy, Cambridge House, Cullybackey College, Dunclug College, Saint Louis Grammar, Saint Patrick's College, or Slemish College.
- Main residence must be within the former Ballymena council area; postcodes BT42, BT43, and some BT44 are also eligible.
- Have predicted grades at a minimum of three B grades.
- Intend to study at Ulster University or Queen's University commencing September/October 2026.
- Intend to study a STEM, Business (including Accountancy), or Agriculture-related degree.
- Do not intend to study an arts, medicine, health, or physical fitness-related degree.
- Parent(s) are in receipt of Universal Credit.
- Live in social housing (NIHE or Housing Association tenant) or in a recognised social housing area.
- Live in a household with a single parent/guardian.
- Have a combined household income under £40,000 per annum.
- Do not live with or are not supported by your parents.
£1,500 per year
Successful applicants receive £1,500 per year throughout their degree, for up to four years, plus a one-off £1,000 grant at the start of the scholarship to help purchase essential IT or technology such as a laptop or specialist software.
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