Here is a check list of ideas to help you get started...
This is the first place to start. If you talk to the university about your situation, they may be able to offer some assistance, either by:
Depending entirely on the criteria for you LEA there is no logical reason why your LEA should not support you for 5 years of tuition at university. Some authorities are more willing than others. E.g. if your first degree lasted for three years, it is worth asking your LEA to pay for the remaining 2 years. Unlikely, but worth a go.
Also, check to see whether you are eligible for any benefits, especially if you have dependents.
Back To The TopIn the reference section, you should find some books on fundraising and lists of charities and whom they assist. The first thing to realise is that if you are writing to charities/trusts/foundations, they will have strict guidelines. Like applying for a job, it is pointless writing to an organisation that only helps the homeless, for example. Educational charities are obviously worth contacting. Another good starting place is the Family Welfare Association. Once they have assessed your particular situation, they will be able to match your requirements to organisations in their database, and send you details of any charities, etc. who may help you.
Most organisations have limited funds. This is a very important point to beat in mind when applying for funding. You will need to know the guidelines given by the charity and match them to your situation and needs in your application. I have been awarded from a few hundred pounds to a few thousand per year. The University and Veterinary Vouchers are both registered charities. This status might help you to target more grants, (i.e. from grant making trust funds who only give money to registered charities and not individuals - this is a common criterion for more trust funds) but you will need to check this out with them.
All of the funds that I raise are passed on to Veterinary Vouchers, and all of my sponsors are aware of this and can either pass donations on to me, or to the charity. This gives my sponsors peace of mind that I am genuine, and have the support or a registered charity, and also Veterinary Vouchers are able to reclaim the tax (gift aid) back on some of the donations received, which is a fantastic help. Check this out with the team at Veterinary Vouchers.
Back To The TopA career development loan (or "professional studies loan" depending on which bank you apply to) may help you at the end of your studies. As far as I know, they are available to students doing a professional degree, to help them with the last couple of years. Look into it as a backup, because it might make the difference between being able or unable to cover the cost of the fees. It is something that I am considering merely to relieve the pressure of having to raise money in my final year.
One place I have found which offers career development loans is Life Long Learning. The deal is that you can apply for up to £8000 for either tuition fees or maintenance, and the government pays the interest on the loan until you finish the course. Then you have to start paying it back. There are only certain banks that do it, and you may need to take out a bank account with them.
Visit Life Long Learning's website for more information or call them on 0800 585 505.
Back To The TopTry to make a list of people or companies whom you think will be willing to sponsor you as a veterinary student. Here are a few idea, but it is by no means, exhaustive:
Get your thinking caps on!!
Back To The TopKeep an eye on the tabloids/broadsheets. These may give you ideas of people to write to, or may even give direct contacts of foundations that have been set up recently. It is also a good idea to keep up to date with new charities/grant making trust funds via the Charities Commission.
Trashy mags might also give you some ideas of people to write to. Ideas could come from anywhere, so use your imagination and go for it. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!!
List of wealthy (e.g. the Rich List) may be useful. The kinds of people in these publications receive many unsolicited applications for help from charities and other people like you. Your letter will really have to stand out to appeal to these people. Many of them have their own foundation or trust fund that has its own set of guidelines. Try to find these out and write to them with as much information as possible, so that you stand out. Most of the info about these things can be found in the library and the charity commission or other such organisations.
Back To The TopI would advise including a copy of your offer letter from the University as proof of your place on the course. Also, if possible, include some documentation regarding the cost of the fees. The more information (especially if it has official stamps on) people have to hand, the easier it is to judge your situation and decide if they wish to sponsor you. Remember that you are writing to complete strangers asking them to help you - they have to be sure that you are genuine, and the more information you can include to persuade them of this, the better.
Back To The TopThis was one of the first things I did when I began raising money. I contacted my local newspaper and asked if they could possibly run an article about my appeal, and gave them a photo to print with the article. Very little funding came directly from the article, but I included a copy of the article in my letters and I have no doubt that it helped enormously. It gives the impression that you are serious about the task you have set yourself, and they can see a picture of you which makes it more personal. Also including an article from a local paper may encourage local businesses to sponsor you.
Back To The TopIt will be a fair amount of time before you secure your first sponsor. It is definitely a lot harder at the beginning but if you put in all the ground-work (write a good letter, and get all of the addresses together) your efforts will be rewarded. I think that this fund raising is on thing that "you get out as much as you put in". I used my year out to get a good base to fundraising, and now, although I don't have all of the funds secured, I am confident that the work that I have put in will be enough to see me through.
And finally...
Don't forget to say thank you.
It is absolutely worth all the effort. There are many other graduates who have managed to raise the money for the course, by investigating one or more of the avenues that I have suggested here, so you are not alone, but you do have to be prepared to work at it.
I have given a list of books that you could use to start your search. Remember to use your imagination and a bit of initiative, because this really is only a starting point. A couple of the books five some good ideas about ways to raise money. If you have any suggestions or comments, questions or discussions, please get in touch with the team at Veterinary Vouchers. I'm sure that the Veterinary Vouchers team would like to know how you're getting on too.
Good luck!!
Back To The TopRead the other parts to Clare Yeadon's information about how to go about fundraising.