The HKF Award

An HKF award is about much more than money. 

We know that the financial support provided to HKF award winners will be vital in enabling students who face financial difficulties to progress to higher education.  We also know that worries about money are only part of the story – our experience over the last decade has shown that offering students personal and practical support and opportunities throughout their time in higher education and beyond can improve a student’s chance of success and ultimately enhance employability.  The HKF award is a package of financial, personal and practical support and opportunities designed to support transition into higher education, enhance the student’s experience at university and improve chances of employment after graduation.

What you can expect from us:

Financial support, usually in the form of a £2,250 bursary provided in instalments during your time in higher education.  Most students who make a successful application to the Foundation will receive a bursary but we also offer some scholarships, in partnership with individual universities, which may be offered instead of a bursary award.  

A named contact at the Foundation, who can give advice, listen to problems, signpost to other organisations, celebrate your successes and be your point of contact for any questions and concerns.

Access to  free training sessions geared towards improving the skills you need throughout university and employment.  These range from confidence building to exam preparation or IT and we are always happy to take suggestions for new sessions.

Work Shadowing - we are aware of how difficult it can be to boost your CV when employers are always looking for something extra from potential employees. We can help organise work placements for students to help you gain experience and make contacts.

Opportunities to volunteer within the Foundation. Click here

What we expect from you:

Being an HKF award winner is a responsibility.  It is vital to the Foundation that we are able to keep in touch with our students, to find out how you are getting on and to gather regular feedback which helps us to monitor how the services we provide make a difference.  Each award winner is asked, as a condition of their award, to meet the following requirements.  If you can’t commit to fulfilling these conditions you shouldn’t apply for an award.

To keep the Foundation up to date with any changes in your contact details, email address or phone number.

To respond to requests for feedback from the Foundation within the time limit given.

To inform the Foundation if, for any reason, you change courses or universities, or have to leave your course either temporarily or permanently.

To update the Foundation, at least annually, on how you are getting on at university – this update can take whatever form you wish and doesn’t have to be long, we just need to know how you are doing.

To inform the Foundation, after graduation, of what class of degree you received and what you intend to do next.

To respond to requests for information from the Foundation as when you receive them.

To help us to publicise our work – this could be formally, for example, by giving permission for your story to be featured in our leaflets or on our website, or being interviewed for a piece in a newspaper, or informally by telling other people about the work of the Foundation and how it has helped you.  We recognise that not everyone wants to share their story and you would always be given the option, but it helps us if you are prepared to take part in this way.