Wheatley bursary programme open for applications

Wheatley has opened its leading bursary programme today (18 May) for applications for the 2026/27 academic year.

Run by Wheatley Foundation, the organisation’s charitable trust, it offers bursaries of up to £1500 a year for full-time students and up to £750 for part-time students.

With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Wheatley Foundation bursaries can help ease the financial burden of studying for an HNC, HND, Undergraduate Degree or Postgraduate course.

Chair of Wheatley Foundation, Professor Paddy Gray OBE, said: “Wheatley Foundation was established 10 years ago and since then we have awarded 570 bursaries.

“In a tough economic climate, this is one of the ways we are supporting our customers and setting them up for success.”

The programme is open to those living in Wheatley communities across Central and Southern Scotland. It’s also available to tenants of Loretto Housing, as well as people who live in a home factored by or rented from Lowther.

Kevin Keatings received a Wheatley bursary last year. The 26-year-old from Glasgow is taking an HND in Sound Production and Audio Engineering at Riverside Music College.

He said: “Getting the bursary means you can worry about the course, not your cash.

“For me it paid for the cost of books and equipment I needed and gave me more breathing space to focus on the work itself.

“It just gives you a level of comfort as it takes away some of the money stress, and you don’t need to work as much outside of college to pay for what you need.”

The bursary can be used to cover travel expenses, buy textbooks or specialist equipment or be put towards course fees – anything that supports successful studying. Applicants must set out how they plan to use the money when they apply and it’s paid in instalments across the academic year.

Kevin, who’s from the Barmulloch area of Glasgow, is now freelancing alongside his studying.  He’s working at venues across the city including one of Glasgow’s most iconic nights out.

He said: “I’m shadowing the audio and visuals for Bongo’s Bingo - it’s an interesting job to say the least!

“As it’s not just sound production, it’s a bit outside of what I do on the course. I wouldn’t have had the confidence and knowledge to do the job without the grounding I’ve got from college.”

With the help of the bursary, Kevin’s now setting his sights on the future.

He said: “I’m just keeping my eyes open for opportunities. I want to travel, not just in Scotland but the rest of the UK and beyond, and I think this is just the kind of job where I can do that.”

Each tenant can only receive funding once - repeat applications are not eligible.

Applications for the Wheatley bursary are open until 30 June 2026, using the online form or by emailing bursaries@wheatley-group.com