What is Aisling Education Bursaries
Aisling Education Bursaries is an education funding scheme, managed by West Belfast Partnership Board, for students from West Belfast (including the Shankill area). The bursary scheme is a community and private‑sector partnership through which businesses, community enterprises, families and individuals contribute to a common fund, committing to support education and skills development in the local community.
What the Bursary Supports — Purpose and Aid Provided
The bursary provides financial support to help students from West Belfast who are entering or continuing further education, higher education, or vocational training. The funds aim to help recipients defray costs associated with studying or training: costs that might otherwise prevent them from pursuing or continuing education.
History & Scale of the Programme
The Aisling Bursaries were launched in 2000. Since then the scheme has helped a large number of students: as of 2025, more than 1,600 people have benefited, with over £1.17 million awarded in sponsorship. In recent award rounds, for example 2025, sponsors donated £126,500, enabling 168 local people to begin or continue their education or training. In earlier years, 174 students received bursaries funded by around £87,000 in donations, marking one of the largest award rounds of the scheme.
Eligibility Conditions & Application Process (General Principles)
To qualify for an Aisling Bursary, applicants must be residents of West Belfast (or the Shankill area), and be preparing to study or already enrolled on a full-time or part-time further education, higher education or vocational training course. The bursary scheme gives particular consideration to candidates who face financial hardship or other barriers that might prevent them from accessing education or training — for example because of economic or family circumstances. The bursaries historically have been in amounts of around £500 to £1,000 per successful applicant, donated by sponsors and distributed to students.
Nature of the Bursary & Expectations of Recipients
The bursary is a grant (not a loan), intended to help defray costs of education or training. Recipients are typically expected to attend an awards ceremony. In past documentation, there are some conditions: for example, bursaries may not be available to students repeating a year (unless under agreed circumstances), and recipients may have to complete the course — failure to complete may require repayment (in whole or in part). Recipients may also be asked to participate in follow-up reporting or publicity related to the bursary scheme.
Purpose & Philosophy Behind the Scheme
The Aisling Bursaries reflect a community-driven belief that education/training is a key tool for personal development, social mobility, and community regeneration. By enabling people from West Belfast to access further or higher education or vocational training, the scheme seeks to empower individuals, support local skills development, and contribute to broader social and economic development of the area.
