STUDENTS in Swindon are to be given a helping hand as a special scholarship grants programme aims to support more youngsters on the university course of their dreams.

Wiltshire Community Foundation’s One Degree More Swindon scheme, which last year supported 42 students – seven from schools in Swindon – would like to increase the number of people applying for the programme.

The scheme gives financial help to students as they navigate their formative years at university.

The average award is £4,500 a student, which supports them over a three-year course.

One teenager who has benefited from the scheme is Marcos Cerda, who came to Swindon from his native Barcelona in 2012.

Former Swindon Academy student Marcos, 19, said the programme has helped him in his first year studying mechanical engineering at the University of Manchester.

“My Sixth Form told me about the opportunity to apply for the grant, so I thought I would give it ago,” he said.

“I had a chat with the people, told them my story, and it turned out to be a successful application.

“Money is always tight, especially when you’re a student. So this grant from One Degree More really helped me.

“My family wasn’t really able to provide me with any funds to go to university, and if it wasn’t for the scheme I would have really struggled.

“It meant that I didn’t need to get a part-time job, which gave me more time to focus on my studies.

“As a result, I got a 2:1 at the end of my first year – I don’t think I would have achieved that without the help I received.”

The financial contribution is towards essential living and course costs, travel, food and accommodation.

A spokesman from One Degree More said: “There is a gap in funding for young people in Swindon wanting to progress to higher education

“And we want to close this gap and make life fairer for Swindon students.

“Our grand aim is to raise £45,000, which would mean we can send 10 students from Swindon through all three years of their university courses.

“We want to fundraise and increase the awareness of One Degree More Swindon.”

For more information, and to find out how to get involved with the scheme log on to www.odm.wiltshirecf.org.uk.