It is September of Year 13, and I am sat desperately scrolling through Student Room, scouring endless posts for any hint as to which college I should apply to. The UCAS deadline for Cambridge is fast approaching and my last-minute decision to submit an application has left me frantically scrabbling to figure out to which college I was best suited for. Anonymous commenters recommend Emma for its ducks, Girton for its orchard and St John’s for its bridge, none of which I deemed particularly vital to my university experience. Nowhere does anyone advise me to consider the financial support each college offers.

While many applicants are under the impression that it makes little difference which college you apply to, there are stark differences between colleges in terms of the grants and bursaries available. Although the central university provides commendable financial assistance to almost a third of its UK undergraduates, extra college-level support varies.

“According to the University, the Cambridge Bursary Scheme, grants over £10 million a year to over 3,300 students who have an annual household income under £62,215”

Cambridge offers one of the most generous bursaries of all UK universities. According to the University, the Cambridge Bursary Scheme grants over £10 million a year to over 3,300 students who have an annual household income under £62,215, as calculated by Student Finance England (SFE). The means-based system grants eligible students up to £3,500 annually.

I spoke to five students receiving the Cambridge bursary, who expressed how privileged they felt to be accessing such support. Emily, a student at John’s, admitted, “I wouldn’t be able to cover the high John’s rent without the bursary and still have money for other things”. The bursary “means that I don’t have to ask my parents to pay the difference, […] they would find this very difficult to afford.”

“Harry, a student at Trinity, was also grateful that his parents didn’t have to stump up the bill. He highlighted that at any other university, he would have found a job to help cover his living costs”

Harry, a student at Trinity, was also grateful that his parents didn’t have to stump up the bill. He highlighted that at any other university, he would have found a job to help cover his living costs. “Considering that Cambridge forbids students from working during term time, receiving the bursary is a relief.” Even those who felt that they could live without the bursary recognised that at a university where many students are extremely wealthy, the bursary helps close gaps between students, when it comes to going out, playing sport and attending formals or May Balls.

This presumably explains why so many students are eligible. There is an attempt to level the playing field, to enable all to enjoy the often expensive, opportunities Cambridge has on offer. Tabitha, initially unaware that she fitted the bursary criteria, was informed by email of this policy, after attempting to reject the £300 that had materialised in her bank account: “I assumed others were more deserving, but college emphasised that the system was designed to support participation in extra-curriculars as well as living costs”. Charissa, at Peterhouse, shared similar concerns about eligibility. Receiving £400 annually, she explained “I only get the bursary because my dad was going to retire and took a lower income job, just for something to do […] perhaps there should be another specification to check whether students are in need.” However, this concern appears to stem from the calculation criteria of SFE on which the bursary is based, rather than the bursary itself.

“Support offered by Lucy Cavendish, where in 2021-22, 1/3 of undergraduates received the Cambridge Bursary, falls significantly short of the financial opportunities available at Trinity”

Some students instead directed criticisms towards disparities between college-level assistance which they felt undermined the Cambridge Bursary’s attempt to ‘level the playing field’. Support offered by Lucy Cavendish, where in 2021-22, 1/3 of undergraduates received the Cambridge Bursary, falls significantly short of the financial opportunities available at Trinity. Harry explained that “Trinity grants all students in receipt of the Cambridge bursary a separate maintenance grant. Last academic year I got £4455, and this year it’s £3000.” Whilst the exact figure may have changed since the time of interview, it’s clear that the support trumps that of poorer colleges. Lucy Cavendish, in comparison, has only this year introduced a £500 rent bursary for Cambridge bursary holders. All students that I spoke to, including those at Trinity, felt it was unfair that a chance selection of a college, likely arrived at after a desperate internet trawl, destined a student for a university career cushioned by fantastical amounts of financial provision.

As Emily eloquently expressed, “why am I graduating with £9000 less, because I chose John's over Trinity? People with more means than me, even those with a household income of £62,215, will receive the extra bursary and I won’t”. As Emily gazed enviously into the neighbouring grounds of Trinity, other students I spoke to were green-eyed at John’s financial assistance, where a £2000 ‘top up’ is advertised for UK undergraduates with household incomes under £16,190, tapering to a provision of £100 for those with incomes of £25,000.

“When I applied, I tried to look for colleges that would provide me with financial support, but the Cambridge bursary was all I found out about”

Discussing these disparities drove home just how naïve I had been during application. I wondered if others had been any the wiser. “No” was the consistent answer. Zaara, from Catz, explained “when I applied, I tried to look for colleges that would provide me with financial support, but the Cambridge bursary was all I found out about.” Harry was also aware of the Cambridge bursary but had no idea he could receive additional provision from college. “To be honest, I didn’t even consider Trinity as a college; I was pooled here. Had I known about the extra bursary, I would have applied directly.”

Details of college level financial support seem to be well hidden. It is difficult enough to uncover information as a current student, utilising staff and JCR members. Navigating lists of potential funding across 31 separate college websites, is an unreasonable and unlikely task for an applicant to undertake. Whilst the Cambridge Bursary Scheme is well advertised and undeniably generous, the vast funding available at college-level should be highlighted. Applicants should be able to make well-informed financially aware decisions, rather than basing college selection upon their affinity towards ducks, orchards or bridges.

All names have been changed for privacy reasons.