‘A bursary is a grant, especially one awarded to a student’. (Oxford English Dictionary 2005)

Changing Worlds is happy to consider offering bursaries to any person who feels they deserve some recognition of their financial difficulties.

We consider each application form on its own merits and treat each with strictest confidentiality.

We understand that raising funds for your exciting adventure with Changing Worlds is never simple or easy.

We are increasingly aware that more people have to shoulder the burden of debt. Most applicants to Changing Worlds may already have taken out a student loan to finance their trip.

Whilst we sympathise we do not feel this constitutes a genuine reason for gaining a bursary.

The majority of applicants fund their adventure by gaining paid employment. Many take this opportunity to learn new skills, gain new experiences and meet new friends. Some of the work might be directly linked to the type of work they are going to experience when overseas with Changing Worlds. We certainly encourage this. All in all this too can be a valuable input in to a curriculum vitae.

The purpose of offering a bursary is to allow those people with genuine financial difficulties the opportunity to experience any one of our fabulous adventures.

The key questions we ask ourselves in considering any bursary are:

* When is the person planning to depart from the UK?

Within a year or over a year away?

Generally the shorter the time difference between application received at our office and the departure date the less likely the chance of gaining a bursary.

This shows that you display advanced planning!

* In this time is this person able to work to raise the funds?

Yes or No

Why not? What are the circumstances?

If the answer is yes then we will be unlikely to offer a bursary.

* What are the reasons for wanting to take a placement with Changing Worlds?

We look closely at the reasons on the application form why a person applies to us for a work placement.

· Are the reasons purely for individual gain?

· Are the reasons for helping others?

If the reasons are largely for individual gain then there is a less likely the chance of gaining a bursary.  

* Is this person able to raise funds from external sources (eg. look for sponsorship from outside agencies)?

Yes or No

What evidence is there? Why not?

Is this a valid reason?

If the person has already made some progress in raising funds from an external source then this will be looked at more favourably.

* Is this person suffering from financial difficulties that are through no fault of their own?

Yes or No

What are these circumstances? Are they long term?

If the financial difficulties are long term and through no fault of the applicant then this would be looked upon more favourably.

Here are a couple of simple examples of circumstances of applicants who have asked for a bursary. Included are our response to each claim.

Example One:

A person applies to work with orphans in India. They have applied nine months before departure and on application have noted that they are concerned about their financial situation. Unfortunately they are unable to work due to family issues but on the application form are very keen to share their skills and interests with the children in the orphanage. This person has already organised a school disco in co-ordination with her old head teacher to help raise funds and increase general awareness.

This person would be awarded of the maximum bursary of £300.

Example Two:

A person wishes to teach in Kenya. They have applied nine months before departure. This person was successful in gaining a placement with us. We are very happy to accept this person on to our programme in view of their positive attitude and willingness to gain prior experience in teaching in their local school. Unfortunately money is tight because the mother is now out of work despite her previously offering to fund some of the cost of the placement. This person is working full time to make the short fall and has kept Changing Worlds up dated with the circumstances throughout.

This person would be awarded a £150 bursary.

Example Three:

A late applicant applies to work in Australia. This person has travelled widely during their gap year and now needs to fund their trip to Changing Worlds. Whilst this person is working very hard at present to meet the cost of the trip they have asked for a bursary.

This person was not awarded a bursary.