The Veterans’ Foundation has funded a scholarship for a veteran to study for a university degree at the Open University (OU).
The Veterans’ Foundation Scholarship is worth £25,000 and will provide the means for a former serviceman or woman to study for a qualification for up to six years at the OU from October.
“Education is the gateway to many things and can make such a fundamental difference to the life of the student and also to those within their circle of influence,” said The Veterans’ Foundation’s CEO, David Shaw.
“Many young people joined the service straight from school, some without access to further education and others who took an earlier route into employment via the military. When they are medically discharged, whether wounded, injured or sick, they can sometimes find it hard to transfer their military skills and achieve meaningful employment as a civilian.
“We are delighted to offer this scholarship, in the hope that it can help change the life of one such veteran, their family and those who will benefit from their learning on the course they have chosen.”
The Veterans’ Foundation has provided nearly £80,000 since 2018 for 360 veterans applying to study with the OU through its Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund (DVSF), but this is the first time it has sponsored a dedicated scholarship in its own name.
Many veterans opt to study for courses that lead to roles that might help fellow former servicemen and women with the challenges they can face when they leave the services.
These courses include psychology, education, law, sports science, and coaching and counselling. Graduate veterans have gone on to become mental wellbeing therapists, fitness and sports instructors, teachers, lawyers, and sports coaches helping rehabilitate those with life-changing injuries.
The Veterans’ Foundation Scholarship could fund essential study equipment, such as laptop, desk and chair, as well as course fees.The first students in the OU’s DVSF programme graduated in 2022.
“Some of our successful graduate veterans were previously rejected by other universities and told they wouldn’t cope with higher education, then go on to be very successful in their studies and the careers they pursue after,” said Alumni Philanthropy Manager, Ollie Badger.
“Studying with the OU is about much more than just a degree – it is also about developing research skills, improving confidence and encouraging different views.”
The Foundation has supported more than 450 charities since it was launched in 2016. It has donated more than £23 million via more than 1,000 grant awards from funds raised by its Veterans’ Lottery, believed to be the largest single-charity lottery in the UK.
