Ernest Edward Scholarship

Aston University is delighted to offer up to four sanctuary scholarships for students who are seeking refuge in the UK.

These scholarships benefit asylum seekers or those who have been granted a form of limited permission to stay in the UK, following an unsuccessful asylum application, and who are therefore prevented from accessing student finance.

These sanctuary scholarships are known as The Ernest Edward Scholarships in memory of the generous donor’s grandfather, Ernest Edward Crummack, who left school aged 12 to work in a coal mine. 100 years on, so many young people and especially young refugees still find themselves deprived of the opportunity to grow and fulfil their potential.

Ernest Edward Scholars will receive a full tuition-fee waiver and support with accommodation and living costs up to a value of £25,000 throughout their course. They will also have access to a range of support services, such as language assistance if required, professional mentoring as well as support from Aston’s Students’ Union.

Summary of eligibility criteria

Ernest Edward Scholarships 2025

Course: Any three-year undergraduate or one-year postgraduate taught programme

You must be:

• In the UK
• An asylum seeker or the partner/dependant of an asylum seeker; OR
• An unsuccessful asylum seeker/refugee or the partner/dependant of an unsuccessful asylum seeker/refugee who has instead been granted Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) or some other form of temporary status in the UK.

How do I apply?

• Applications for the Ernest Edward Scholarship 2025 are now open and close at 5pm on Friday 16 May 2025.

Please email the Ernest Edward Scholarship Team to request an application form and to confirm that you are in the UK.

What happens next?

We will contact you by email after each stage to let you know if your application is successful. Please note, we will communicate scholarship decisions two weeks after each deadline date. If you have any further questions, you are welcome to contact us.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

You can only receive one scholarship, but you are able to apply for multiple scholarships. If you are successful in being awarded multiple scholarships, the highest value scholarship will be awarded to you.

Last updated: 16/04/2025 KB