When Ben won a £1,000 Brighter Futures grant

Essex students can win one of ten £1,000 Brighter Futures grants from Santander Universities this year. Find out from Ben, one of last year’s winners, just how easy it is to apply.

Ben’s win

How did you feel when you discovered you had won a Brighter Futures grant?

I have never won any sort of competition/grant in my life before, so I was very surprised to open my emails up to see I had won! I let out a big 'OH!' out loud, which my fiancée in the other room even heard. I am very grateful to have been chosen and be a part of this opportunity.

What have you done with your £1,000?

Truth be told, I immediately put the grant into a savings account for any sort of emergency I may encounter in the future. I used to have a history of managing money poorly, and ever since those experiences, I have made sure to organize my finances to prevent anything bad from occurring again. In the end, this grant did come in handy, helping me pay rent upfront for a new accommodation.

Was it easy to sign up for the Santander platform?

Very easy, and quick! Santander made it a hassle-free experience that honestly if the opportunity ever arises again, you should take advantage of it!

How to apply for a grant

All our students are eligible for the Brighter Futures grants — and you don’t have to bank with Santander. Here’s how to apply before 5 December 2024:

1. Visit the Santander Open Academy website.
2. Register a free account with Santander Open Academy.
3. Complete the application for the Santander Universities Brighter Futures Grants (Autumn 2024).

Your account will also give you access to lots of free courses, and makes it easier to enter future prize draws too. Good luck!