For our future

Foresters awards 150 renewable tuition scholarships each year to young leaders who are committed to helping their communities through volunteering.

About the scholarship

Foresters is proud to contribute to the success that education can bring to individuals, families and communities. Each year, we offer up to 150 scholarships worth £1,000 each to eligible students pursuing post-secondary education at an accredited university or institute of higher learning in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years or until a post-secondary degree or equivalent is earned.

Eligible Foresters members and their spouse, children, grandchildren and children under the legal care of an eligible member can apply.

Highlights of the 2020 Scholarship Programme

The scholarship application period begins on 3 December 2019 to 27 February 2020
Applicants can apply at any year of their undergraduate degree
In addition to academic records, applicants also need to provide a community reference letter and essay about their community volunteer work
Checklist to ensure you have everything you need for your application

Renewal
If you are renewing your scholarship, you will NOT need to complete the online application. Renewal applications are emailed in July/August. If you are not in receipt of an email regarding your renewal, please email membership@foresters.co.uk.

Important dates

Application Period: 3 December 2019 to 27 February 2020

Application Deadline: 27 February 2020

Scholarship Recipients Notified: By 4 May 2020

Scholarship Funds Issued: By 23 October 2020

Award details

The award is valued at £1,000 per academic year.
The award is renewable for up to 3 additional years for qualified applicants.
The number of new scholarships available each year is dependent on how many students continue with their studies and how many opt for a four-year course rather than three.
You must complete an online renewal form each summer and continue to meet the eligibility requirements as outlined below:
- Recipients must maintain a full-time undergraduate course of study
- Recipients must remain in good academic standing and make satisfactory academic progress (as defined by the university) from year-to-year
- Recipients must maintain an in-force Foresters membership as defined under “Who is eligible to apply” in the programme FAQ document
- Children, including children under the care of a legal guardian who is an in-force Foresters member, and grandchildren should be 24 years of age or younger at the time the renewal application is submitted through to the time of the payment

The award must be used in the academic year in which it is issued, unless the recipient submits a formal request to have the award deferred.
Award recipients must enroll at a university or institute of higher education in the UK for the 2019-2020 academic year with the intention of completing a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
You must submit proof of enrollment from your university in order to complete the award acceptance process.
Recipients may transfer from one eligible institution to another and retain the award.
You may receive financial aid – including additional scholarships – from other organisations.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for this scholarship:

Applicants must be enrolling in a (minimum) two-year, full-time undergraduate program of study at an accredited university or vocational or technical institutions in the United Kingdom in the Autumn of 2020.
You, your parent, your legal guardian, your grandparent or your spouse must be a current UK Foresters member:
- Dependent children, grandchildren, or children under the legal guardianship of members can only apply if they are 24 years old or younger.
- Members who are applying do not have to be 24 years old or younger, but must meet all other eligibility requirements.
Applicants completing secondary school must provide copies of certified exam results indicating scores of B (A-levels/AS-levels), 4/C (GCSE) or equivalent. The amount of scores required is dependent on the university program the applicant is enrolling in.
Applicants currently enrolled at university must have a minimum weighted average mark/grade point average of 70% (or institutional equivalent).
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer experience from 1 March 2018 – 27 February 2020.
Foresters membership must be in-force on the date of application for the Foresters Competitive Scholarship, and it must remain in-force in order for the applicant to accept the scholarship and receive payment.

Application requirements

Overall weighting of the application components:

Volunteer experience, Reference letter and Essay: 65%
Grades: 35%

Based on the number of people who apply each year, the competition for these scholarships can be high. The minimum requirements for volunteer hours, exam results, reference letter and the essay are items all students need in order to just be considered for a scholarship. Meeting or exceeding these requirements does NOT guarantee that you will be chosen as a winner. Please keep in mind that only the top applicants from across the UK, as chosen by the Selection Committee, can be selected as winners.

Volunteer

All applicants must have performed a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer work in the 24 months leading up to the application deadline (1 March 2018 – 27 February 2020).

Preference will be given to applicants who have:

Volunteered with Foresters in the past
Been involved in volunteer activities that support family well-being, including public spaces, children’s health/wellness and other projects connected to a family togetherness
Held leadership roles in their volunteer experience

Minimum Grades

Applicants completing secondary school must provide copies of certified exam results indicating scores of B (A-levels/AS-levels), 4/C (GCSE) or equivalent.

Applicants currently enrolled at university must have a minimum weighted average mark/grade point average of 70% (or institutional equivalent) in the last academic year of study before the year of the award.

If the applicant is considered a "Mature Student" as defined by the attending institution, academic eligibility for the entrance level will be based on proof of registration at an eligible institution. Such proof of registration will also be required if the candidate is awarded the scholarship.

References

All applicants must provide a recommendation from a person who is not related to the applicant and who is familiar with the applicant's volunteer experience.

The recommendation must be submitted by 6 March 2020. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up with the recommender to ensure that the recommendation is completed and submitted by the deadline.

Essay

Foresters exists to enrich the lives of its members, their families and the communities where they live. Giving back and supporting local communities is part of our core.

In 250 words or less, all applicants will need to share a written response about their experience with a volunteer project where they gave back and supported a community. Why was it meaningful and how did it impact the community?

Restrictions

The following restrictions apply to the scholarship award:

Applicants who have previously received a Foresters Competitive Scholarship will not be eligible to apply for a new scholarship.
If the member dies after the scholarship is awarded the scholarship will continue as long as the recipient is covered under another in-force Foresters membership as defined in the "Eligible Applicants" section AND he/she continues to meet the renewal criteria.
The scholarship will terminate at the end of any academic year in which the Foresters member, whether the scholarship recipient or the sponsoring member, ceases to be a member of Foresters.
The scholarship is applicable only to the first post-secondary degree or diploma sought by the recipient.
Membership status and eligibility is verified at different stages of the application period and throughout the year.
Recipients of Orphan Scholarships are not also eligible to receive the Foresters Competitive Scholarship under the same membership.

How to apply

During the application period, create an online account using the "Apply Now" button found on Foresters.com to apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship.

Once you have created an online account, you can use the site to track the status of your application and submit your supporting information. You are responsible for making sure that you have successfully submitted all required application components before the deadline by logging in to your online account regularly. Once you have created your account, you can receive email reminders and notifications at more than one email address by entering an alternate or "Member email" address in your account profile.

Foresters and International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS) are not responsible for information that is late, unsuccessfully submitted or inaccurately completed.

Application Period: 3 December 2019 to 27 February 2020
Application Deadline: 27 February 2020

For more information

For additional information regarding the scholarship programme or other member benefits, please contact Foresters Member Services by email at membership@foresters.co.uk.

For specific questions about the scholarship application, contact ISTS by email at Foresters-UK@applyISTS.com or by phone on 0800 4049806.

How are scholarship winners selected?

Does every applicant receive a scholarship?

No. The Foresters Competitive Scholarship Programme awards up to 150 renewable scholarships worth £1,000 per year to eligible students pursuing post-secondary education at an accredited university or institute of higher learning in the United Kingdom.

Does Foresters have any influence over how the scholarships are awarded?

No. To assure complete impartiality in the selection of winners and to maintain a high level of professionalism, the programme is administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS), a firm that specializes in managing scholarship programs. ISTS also oversees the process to select all scholarship winners.

How do I know if I'm eligible to apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship?

Can I apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship if I am already part-way through my first undergraduate degree?

Yes. You can apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship to help with any year of your first undergraduate degree or equivalent. You should apply during the academic year (3 December 2019 to 27 February 2020) to be eligible for a scholarship for the following year.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for this scholarship:

Applicants must be enrolling in a (minimum) two-year, full-time undergraduate program of study at an accredited university or technical and vocational institutions in the United Kingdom in the Autumn of 2020.
You, your parent, your legal guardian, your grandparent or your spouse must be a current UK Foresters member:
- Dependent children, grandchildren, or children under the legal guardianship of members can only apply if they are 24 years old or younger.
- Members who are applying do not have to be 24 years old or younger, but must meet all other eligibility requirements.
Applicants completing secondary school must provide copies of certified exam results indicating scores of B (A-levels/AS-levels), 4/C (GCSE) or equivalent.
Applicants currently enrolled at university must have a minimum weighted average mark/grade point average of 70% (or institutional equivalent).
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer work from 1 March 2018 – 27 February 2020.
Foresters membership must be in-force on the date of application for the Foresters Competitive Scholarship, and it must remain in-force in order for the applicant to accept the scholarship and receive payment.

What are the volunteer work requirements?

All applicants must have performed a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer work in the 24 months leading up to the application deadline (1 March 2018 – 27 February 2020). You can volunteer for any recognised community organisation (e.g. Foresters, Boys & Girls Club, Lions Club, Girl Guides, charity, scouts, sports camps, school or religious institution, etc).

In this category, preference will be given to applicants who have:

Volunteered with Foresters in the past
Been involved in volunteer activities that support family well-being, including:
- Playgrounds/public space
- Children's health/wellness
- Other projects connected to family togetherness
Held leadership roles in their volunteer work

Will I still be able to apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship if I can't obtain proof of my volunteer work?

You can apply, but your application will not be considered unless all of the application components have been submitted. Your volunteer experience is an important achievement requirement. Lack of proof of volunteer experience will eliminate an applicant from competition for a scholarship.

Once I've started applying for a scholarship, where can I get information about my application?

How can I find out the status of my application?

Log in to your online scholarship account to check for updates on your application. Information regarding your application is updated in real time, so be sure to log in to your account regularly.

How and when will I receive notifications?

Notifications are sent to applicants and recipients via e-mail by the endof May. Please note that only applicants with a status of “Complete” will be notified regarding scholarship decisions.

If you have changed your e-mail address after creating your account, it is your responsibility to immediately update your My Profile page at https://aim.applyISTS.net to ensure that you continue to receive e-mail notifications about your scholarship application.

Add donotreply@applyISTS.com and contactus@applyISTS.com to your e-mail address book or “safe senders list” to ensure these important emails are not sent to your junk mail folder.
Do not ‘opt out’ of any e-mails sent from donotreply@applyISTS.com or contactus@applyISTS.com. You may not receive vital information regarding your scholarship applications.

Note: Your e-mail address will only be used to communicate with you about your scholarship applications or other opportunities administered by ISTS for which you may be eligible to apply. We will not provide your email address to any third parties.

Who do I contact if I have specific questions about my application?

The Foresters Competitive Scholarship Programme is administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS). For specific questions about the scholarship application, contact ISTS by e-mail at Foresters-UK@applyISTS.com or by phone on 0800 4049806.

What do I need to know about submitting an application for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship?

How can I apply for a scholarship?

You can create your online account by clicking the "Apply Now" button on foresters.com from 3 December 2019 to 27 February 2020.

I am currently in my last year of 6th form/college. When is the best time to apply for a Foresters UK Competitive Scholarship?

You should apply in your final year of 6th form/college (3 December 2019 to 27 February 2020) to be eligible for a scholarship for the following year.

How do I know if my application is complete?

Allow five to seven business days after uploading documents for your online status to update. You may monitor your status of your application on your home page at https://aim.applyISTS.net.

Not Started: the form has not been requested or started.
Started: the form has not been submitted and will not be considered.
Submitted: the form has been submitted, but is not Complete because the requirements for transcript and/or reference letter have not been satisfied.
Complete: all required forms and attachments have been received and your application will be considered for the scholarship. You may also monitor the status of your attachments and recommendations.
Not received: the attachment has either not been received or has been rejected.
Requested: the form request has been created, but the form has not been started.
Processing: the attachment has been received and is being reviewed.
Accepted: the attachment has been verified and accepted by ISTS.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to monitor the progress of all application requirements to make sure the application is complete. The status Complete will display on the home page when all forms have been submitted and all documents have been verified.

Who do I contact if I have specific questions about applying?

What do I need to know if I am currently a Foresters Competitive Scholarship recipient, but have not yet completed my degree/diploma?

Is the scholarship renewable?

Yes. To maintain your Foresters Competitive Scholarship award, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Maintain a full-time undergraduate course of study
Remain in good academic standing and make satisfactory academic progress (as defined by the university) from year-to-year
Foresters membership must be in-force on the date of application and it must remain in-force in order for the applicant to renew the scholarship and receive payment
Children, including children under the care of a legal guardian who is an in-force Foresters member, and grandchildren be 24 years of age or younger at the time the renewal application is submitted through to the time of the payment

What are the renewal details?

Each year you will receive an email notification with instructions to complete the online renewal application. You will need to provide an academic record/history listing all courses and marks to date, as well as completed copies of the Renewal Certification and Electronic Funds Transfer forms.

If you have changed your e-mail address after creating your account, it is your responsibility to immediately update your My Profile page at https://aim.applyISTS.net to ensure that you continue to receive e-mail notifications about your scholarship renewal.

Note: If you do not meet the stated requirements listed above, your scholarship award will be withdrawn and you will not be eligible to renew the award in the future. You may re-apply as a new applicant for the opportunity to be considered for a new award the next year.

What do I need to know if I’ve been notified that I’ve won a scholarship?

What are my responsibilities if I am chosen as a recipient?

You must enrol as a full-time undergraduate student in the Autumn of the year in which the scholarships are awarded, continue the entire academic year without interruption unless approved by scholarship sponsor and notify ISTS should your scholarship funds not arrive within 30 days of the issue date.

Can I defer my scholarship?

Yes, a Foresters Competitive Scholarship can be deferred for a maximum of one academic year (unless otherwise noted) and only for the following reasons:

Co-op studies
Illness
Death in the family
Vocational obligation (can be for 4 semesters)
Humanitarian mission

Permission is granted at the discretion of Foresters. If successful, you must be 24 years of age or younger at the time permission is requested through to the time it is granted. Once you have been informed that your application for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship was successful, you will need to make a formal, written application outlining the circumstances that make a deferral necessary. At the discretion of Foresters, you may be asked by ISTS to provide proof of circumstances.

How and when are scholarship funds issued?

Payment will be processed and sent via electronic funds transfer in October 2020 once the award has been accepted and enrolment documentation has been verified by ISTS staff.

What happens if my Foresters membership ends or changes after I have already received my scholarship?

It is required that a Foresters plan will need to be active and in good standing throughout the scholarship period whether it is a student/spouse/parent or grandparent plan. This is particularly important where the student/spouse/parent/grandparent has a plan which is due to mature or if for any reason the plan is not maintained during the scholarship period.

Will the Foresters Competitive Scholarship end when I finish my undergraduate program or can I still continue as a graduate student until the four years of award payments have been made?

The award will end when you complete your first undergraduate degree or after four years (whichever comes first). Post-graduate studies are not eligible for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship.

Who should I contact if I have questions?

Who should I contact if I have questions about the scholarship programme and/or application process?

For additional information regarding the scholarship programme or other member benefits, please contact Foresters Member Services by e-mail at membership@foresters.co.uk.

For specific questions about the scholarship application, contact ISTS by e-mail at Foresters-UK@applyISTS.com or call 0800 4049806.

Congratulations to all our recipients for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Below are some significant statistical information about the average achievement levels of the winners this year.

Community Service:

Approximately 249 hours on average
Most of the winners created their primary community service activities (either alone, with a group or they held a leadership position)
The average number of different community service activities they were involved in was 3

Foresters Competitive Scholarship Winners

Andrew Adams
Cameron Allatt
Erin Ames
Suhit Amin
Kezia Atta-Panin
Alexander Ball
Jade Barrow
Ellie Bees
Verity Blakey
Lauren Boddy
Lillie Boothroyd
Sophie Bowen
Christopher Bridges
Roxana Buckley
Isabella Caplin
Matthew Cavallini
Zohar Collins
Emma Connolly
Callum Crockard
Abbie Davis
Etienne Deans-Louis
Harry Eckersley
Michael Failey
stuart Finch
Gemma Fiske
Danielle Foster
Niamh Foy
Aoife Gilmore
Harrison Hall
Caitlin Hayes
James Herdman
Charlotte Heyworth
Ella Hollingshead
Morgan Hooper
Rachael Horn
Harry Humphreys
Hazel Jones
Mari Jones
Lily Keck
Dominic Lanham
Abigail Lawrence
Nim Bon Man
Oliver Martin
Alex Mason
Sioned May
Jemma McGrath
Alison McKechnie
Ruby Miller
Beatriz Monteiro De Carvalho
Keir Ogilvy
Sayo Olukoga
Sewa Olukoga
Feyisara Olukoga
Elle Parkes
Eve Poyner
Kaitlyn Ries
Michael Sawyer
Anna Silvester Williams
Rebekah Smith
Daniel Spence
James Stonehouse
Elizabeth Stringer
Martha Sweatman
Chloe Tapp
Bryony Tatlock
Rosie Taylor
Michael Tucker
Charlie Turner
Rhys Whatty
Isaac Williams
Kathryn Wilson
Bethany Wolff

Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program is administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS).