The Cross Trust is now partnering with the Robertson Trust to support a Journey to Success

In conjunction with the Robertson Trust we will be supporting candidates through a "Journey to Success" in a broad range of subjects across Scotland’s universities. Since 1992, the programme has supported over 1,000 young people to overcome financial and social barriers to gain the university education and career they aspire to.

The programme has been devised to offer self-development opportunities and financial support to 16-25 year olds in Scotland who face barriers to higher education. We are particularly interested in supporting students from backgrounds currently underrepresented in higher education, including those who are:

• From schools with low progression rates to higher education
• From households with low income
• Black and Minority Ethnic groups
• Disabled
• Have lived experience of care
• Carers
• Estranged from their family
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
• From military families

The programme is aimed at driven young people who are passionate about self-development and collaboration. This could include those who have displayed a proactive attitude to taking on extracurricular activities throughout school, have volunteered in their community or taken part in relevant leadership programmes.

A "Journey to Success" aims to develop an active network of peer support for Scholars, a commitment to participating in the opportunities available through the programme is key. "Journey to Success" offers a range of training sessions and events throughout each academic year designed to support Scholars to work towards a career they aspire to. Meanwhile, in recognition of the financial barriers many face to participation in higher education, the programme also offers a bursary of up to £4,250 pa to each Scholar.

In addition to financial support, Journey to Success offers scholars a range of self-development opportunities designed to help them fulfil their potential and develop the skills needed to reach their career aspirations. Opportunities include:

• Welcome Event: designed to begin building the peer support networks scholars can benefit from to ease their transition into university and maximise the potential of their degree. Watch the 2022 Scholar Welcome Event video to learn how Scholars benefitted from the event.
• Leadership development: encourage second-year Scholars to support their peers throughout the Welcome Event and first year at university.  
• Personal development training sessions: improve the self-awareness needed for university and graduate recruitment success. 
• Career Pathways and Internships: support scholars to source meaningful work experience, access career awareness-raising activities and make professional contacts. 
• Alumni Network: encourages the alumni to mentor younger scholars and help build the Journey to Success support network.

As part of the programme, scholars should complete the induction process (the Welcome Event), attend two self-development workshops each year, and share a short written report describing how they are progressing through university at the end of each academic term. 

How to Apply

Please visit the Appllication Process page for details of eligibillity and how to apply.