Thomas and Margaret Roddan Scholarship

What is this Award?

Awards* of up to £500 to help students manage the burden of unexpected financial costs. We welcome applications from students who have experienced an unexpected cost(s) which are impacting on their finances and studies.

Students impacted by an unexpected event or life circumstance should apply (please check that you are eligible below).

_{*Awards do not need to be paid back.}

How can this award help me?

This Award may help you to regain focus on your studies by reducing distractions such as stress and worries linked to financial difficulties.

Am I eligible to apply?

Eligible students are:

Those faced with unexpected circumstances which are impacting on their personal finances.

AND

Undergraduates who have completed at least one year of study.
Postgraduates undertaking taught degree courses.
Postgraduates engaged in research for a higher degree.

AND

Are Abertay University students who ordinarily reside (normally live) in Scotland and studying anywhere in the world, including Scotland.
Or Abertay University students who ordinarily reside outside Scotland and are studying in Scotland. This means English, Northern Irish, Welsh and international students can apply.

Examples of unexpected circumstances may include:

A student in a housing crisis, experiencing domestic violence or who has been victim of a crime.
A student who has become unwell and is unable to earn an income, or who is not working as many hours as they had planned.
A student who has experienced a relationship breakdown that has caused financial difficulties, such as they have become solely responsible for rent costs.
A student who has new, unexpected caring responsibilities such as looking after a loved one who has become ill.
A student who is having to get repairs or replacements for essential equipment or an essential household item that they are having difficulty affording, e.g. a laptop or PC, washing machine or cooker.

If you are not sure whether you meet the criteria, please speak to a member of the Advisory Service by emailing advisory@abertay.ac.uk to request an appointment. You can also attend a drop-in session between 2-4pm on Mon-Thurs, at the ground floor of the library.

When can I apply?

The Award is open for applications now and closes on 30 May 2025. All applications need to be submitted by that date. This may close early if all the available funding has been allocated before the end date.

How do I apply?

Students should download and complete the Thomas and Margaret Roddan Scholarship application form, then email the completed form to Advisory as a PDF.

Application forms need to be signed by the applicant and returned to advisory@abertay.ac.uk. We will accept typed names as signatures.

What else do I need to do?

Each application must include the name of an Abertay staff member who has knowledge of your circumstances. This could be teaching staff, a counsellor, learner development worker, a careers advisor or a student advisor.

Applicants must also be willing to meet the award conditions set out in the ‘Award Conditions’ section of the guidance notes – see below.

What won't it cover?

The fund will not make awards for costs that students would have been aware of and did not make plans to meet. For example, costs to attend work placements or field trips. This includes specific material needs related to courses, e.g. high spec laptops.