University Scholarship Policy Guidelines

1. Introduction and Aims

The intention of The Beacon Changemakers University Scholarship is to enable especially gifted students who are both nationals of, and ordinarily resident in, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or South Africa to obtain a high-quality undergraduate education at a world class university, which would otherwise be completely beyond their means. Applicants from South Africa must be from a previously disadvantaged community (See Beacon Policy Statement).

If you are looking exclusively for scholarship funding, the Beacon Changemakers programme is not for you. Beacon Changemakers offers successful recipients access to holistic leadership development, of which educational funding forms one small part. All participants on the programme will be expected to balance academic achievement with involvement in the other leadership areas, namely Co-curricular, Social Influence & Citizenship.

It is the hope that Beacon Scholars participating in, and completing, a programme of undergraduate study will:

  • Demonstrate throughout their university life the leadership and Changemaker traits and qualities that initially identified them as a Beacon Scholar;
  • Complete their tertiary education and enter their chosen field on a trajectory that will mark them out as a leader in industry, public service or the professions;
  • Ultimately make a significant contribution in their work and personal lives to the development of their home country.

The Beacon Changemakers Scholarship will be awarded based on the Scholar’s academic achievement, leadership qualities, ‘Changemaker’ capability, and the economic needs of the family. The scholarship covers full tuition fees only. Parents/recipients are responsible for covering maintenance costs which include living costs such as accommodation and subsistence, compulsory UK government surcharges, and airfares to and from their home country. These maintenance costs are typically in the region of £15k (US$20 – 25k) annually. It is unlikely that parents/guardians/sponsors with a gross household income above US$100k will qualify.

2. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants are Nominated by their current School Head and then assessed by The Beacon Equity Trust (BET) for evidence of leadership potential using the following criteria:

  • Academic Excellence
    Applicants must obtain an offer of a place in at least one university participating in The Beacon Changemakers University Scholarship programme. Grade requirements for entry into Beacon Partner Universities are high, and vary by course. Successful university entry is contingent on obtaining the required grades in the university offer. As a general guide, predicted or actual grades should be the minimum required for a candidate’s chosen course of study at their first choice university.
  • Achievement in Sport, Music or Drama
    An applicant must demonstrate that they are more than just an active participant in sport, music or drama, with some formal level of proficiency or accreditation.
  • Social Influence and Communication
    The applicant must have held a position of responsibility in their school or, failing that, provide some evidence of confidence amongst peers. They will be required to undergo an interview which will give an indication of their aptitudes and personality traits, and to participate in practical assessment exercises to establish their ability to form and develop relationships among peers.
  • Citizenship
    An applicant must show through examples that they have helped those less fortunate than themselves, or have done work in the community, and are seen as role models. Unselfishness, kindness and concern for others are key criteria for The Beacon Scholarship and Scholars will be required to show continuing evidence of their efforts in these areas.
  • Changemaker
    Applicants will also need to demonstrate, with examples, that they are a ‘Changemaker’, ie that:
    • They have the capacity to ‘take people with them’ and
    • They are already making a difference now, not at some future point in time
  • Other Factors
    In addition to the above-mentioned criteria, other factors to be taken into account include:
    • Capacity to study independently overseas, including integration potential (which necessarily involves consideration of the applicant’s competence in English);
    • The applicant must be a national of, and ordinarily resident in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa or Zambia;
    • Financial need – see below;
    • The likely contribution of the applicant to other areas of university life;
    • Demonstrate an intention to return to their home country in a leadership position, if possible after gaining international experience in their chosen field;
    • Commitment to make a contribution to the development of their home country.

3. Financial Commitment

The Beacon Changemakers Scholarship is designed as a ‘Joint Venture’ between BET, the Beacon University Partner, and the Beacon Scholar’s family. It is aimed at students from middle income households: the scholarship covers full tuition fees only. Parents/recipients are responsible for covering maintenance costs which include living costs such as accommodation and subsistence, compulsory UK government surcharges, and airfares to and from their home country. These maintenance costs are typically around £15k (US$20k-25k) annually. It is unlikely that parents/guardians/sponsors with a gross household income above US$100k will qualify.

4. Parental Commitment

Parents/guardians/sponsors must be committed both financially and educationally to a student completing their undergraduate degree as a Beacon Scholar. They will be required to:

  1. Complete a confidential Financial Disclosure form. Details of income should be verified by the employer along with up to six months’ payslips. Tax returns for the past year and financial statements certified by an accountant for businesses in which parents/guardians/sponsors may be a proprietor, partner or director will also be required.
  2. Complete a Financial Disclosure form on an annual basis or whenever required by BET.
  3. Disclose any material change in financial circumstances to BET. Should financial circumstances improve, there may be some re-negotiation of the proportion of fees paid by parents/guardians/sponsors.
  4. Give one full year’s notice to both the university and BET should parents/guardians/sponsors change their minds about the student continuing as a Beacon Scholar.
  5. Pay all fees and invoices related to the costs of university study and maintenance on time, and as required by the policies and procedures of the university.
  6. Sign and comply with an Award Condition requiring opening an Education Fund bank account to be used for the future maintenance costs for the candidate.
  7. In the first year of the Scholarship, the Education Fund bank account should contain a minimum balance in it. By 20 June preceding commencement of the Award, recipients must deposit a minimum balance of £15k (US$20k) for the first year’s maintenance and living costs.
  8. For the second and subsequent years, a statement from the Education Fund bank account showing a minimum balance of £15k (US$20k-25k) is required for a scholarship continuation prior to 20 June each year. Evidence of the Pre-payment will be submitted as part of The Beacon Changemakers Scholarship Continuation Application.

The parents/guardians/sponsors commitment is more than financial. They must become an active part of the team educating the Beacon Scholar. They are expected to take an involved interest in the Scholar’s progress at university and to communicate regularly and as required with BET.

5. Pastoral Care

A range of Beacon Mentors will provide support and guidance to Beacon Scholars. They will regularly meet Beacon Scholars and monitor their development alongside BET.

6. Contract

Parents/guardians/sponsors, BET Partners and the Trustees of BET will be required to sign an agreement called the Award Acceptance Form once a Beacon Scholarship for University is awarded.

7. Disciplinary

Beacon has a disciplinary policy and procedure independent of Partner Universities. When there has been a breach of the Beacon Code of Conduct or a violation of university rules, Beacon will independently investigate the level of severity/magnitude. On an attribution of guilt sanctions are adjudged using a ‘three strikes and out’ framework. Should an offence take place Beacon will take into account the university’s investigation and sanction. Any Beacon sanction will be consistent with the Partner University’s process, but may have different implications for the Scholar and their Beacon Scholarship.

8. Data Privacy

Data collected and processed for The Beacon Scholarship is governed by The Beacon Equity Trust Privacy Notice.

9. Conflict of Interest Beacon University Scholarship

A Head of School, or School Staff member cannot nominate a candidate when their personal, financial, or professional interest (eg relatives, business partners, supervisors, or colleagues) could reasonably be seen to affect their objectivity in the application process.

A Beacon Scholarship cannot be awarded to an applicant who is related directly or indirectly by way of personal, financial, or professional interest to any member of Beacon Staff or any Beacon Contractors.

In all cases, the decision to accept a Nomination or Application is entirely at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

10. Renewal of Scholarship

The Beacon Scholar and their parents/guardians/sponsors must apply annually for the renewal of The Beacon Scholarship for University – not later than 20 June each year. Performance against the undertakings in the Award Acceptance Form will also be considered as part of the application review by BET. The academic and general progress of the Beacon Scholar will be assessed, including their achievements as a ‘Changemaker’, along with their disciplinary record, parents’/guardians’/sponsors’ participation and any other factors which were considered in the initial awarding of The Beacon Scholarship. Parents/guardians/sponsors are also expected to furnish BET with details of any material changes to the information supplied in the initial Financial Disclosure.
Beacon Scholars monitor their own leadership development by setting goals and their performance against them. These goals are recorded on a form called a Target Sheet, submitted to BET on a regular basis, highlighting their progression on leadership qualities ie academic performance, level of participation in sport, music or drama, social influence, and citizenship.

BET reserves the right to withdraw a Beacon Scholarship for University from any individual Scholar in the event of:

  • Repeated failure by the Scholar to achieve key leadership and performance targets; or
  • Improvement in parents’/guardians’/sponsors’ financial circumstances so that they can comfortably afford to pay for the Scholar’s full education costs; or
  • Failure to supply a bank statement of the Education Account showing evidence of funds for scholar maintenance; or
  • Failure of parents/guardians/sponsors to honour the terms of The Beacon Scholarship or undertakings in the Award Acceptance Form.