As a recipient of the Crankstart scholarship myself, I can assure that it very much soothes the financial burden and worries that moving to university carries. Furthermore, individual colleges have their own ways to assist, such as hardship funds or academic grants.

Oxford was never on my radar, never an option I considered at all, until I attended an open day. Looking around the city (and around Pembroke!) made me feel so inspired and welcomed, despite being from a working-class and first-generation to university background. The rest was history! I put in my application, attended the interviews, cried many tears, and got my offer!