A SCHEME to help young people study at college to follow their dream careers is open for applications again.

The Dorset Community Foundation bursary fund provides up to £1,500 for travel, laptops, equipment, tools or clothing, study trips or meals.

Last year, the scheme awarded more than £57,000 to 95 students who face financial disadvantage, additional issues such as those with disabled parents or those with special educational needs.

This total also includes those benefiting from the foundation’s Superior STEM Bursary Fund, supported by Wimborne engineering company Superior Seals.

One teen who benefited from the fund was Jack Hayward, 17, who received £929 to study plastering at Bournemouth and Poole College.

Jack, from Christchurch, used the money to pay for travel and equipment.

His mum, Nina, said: “It would have been a real struggle for us to pay his travel because Jack’s stepdad Ian is being treated for cancer of the kidney and can’t work.

“But the grant has made such a difference and has really helped Jack.

“He’s an SEN student and being at college has done wonders for him he has learnt some life skills and his confidence has grown. He's a much more outgoing person now.”

Georgia Farmer, also from Christchurch, was given £679 for a laptop and travel to Brockenhurst College to study art and design.

She said that her dad couldn’t afford to buy her and her twin sister Abigail a laptop.

“Having the laptop made things much easier for me because it meant I could work at home,” Georgia said.

“I’ve enjoyed my first year of college and the grant really helped.”

Applications for the scheme and the STEM fund are open until January 13, 2025.

Students should apply to their college for financial support before applying for the fund, with forms and full criteria available on the Dorset Community Foundation website.

Applicants to the scheme must be 16 to 25 and enrolled on a vocational course at Bournemouth and Poole College, Kingston Maurward College, Brockenhurst College, Bourne Academy, Blandford, Weymouth College, Yeovil College, Wiltshire College or Beaminster School or Sir John Colfox Academy’s sixth forms.