Supporting Communities is delighted to offer a 2-year scholarship programme for students currently in Year 14 (Upper Sixth) in the Ballymena area or students in their final year of the Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).

This fund is specifically for students who are applying to study the following course at CAFRE:  

  • FdSc Agriculture and Technology

How Much Is the Scholarship?

Successful applicants will receive £1,500 per year throughout their foundation degree, helping ease financial pressure while you focus on your studies.

You’ll also receive a one-off £1,000 grant at the start of your scholarship to purchase essential IT or technology to support your course, such as a laptop or specialist software.

Application Criteria

Applicants must meet all the following conditions:

  • Be aged 18+ by or on 30th June 2026

  • Are attending one of the following schools as a Year 14 A level student: Ballymena Academy, Cambridge House, Cullybackey College, Dunclug College, Saint Louis Grammar, Saint Patrick's College, Slemish College or the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)

  • Main residence within the former Ballymena council area, with postcodes BT42, BT43, some BT44 are also eligible

  • Intend to study a foundation level degree FdSc Agriculture and Technology

Applicants must also meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must demonstrate a family connection to, or be actively employed or involved in, an agricultural farm situated within the BT42 or BT43 postcode districts, or eligible rural areas of BT44

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 5 pm on 30th June 2026.

Interviews will be held on a date to be announced. Please note that the interviews may be conducted using a digital platform such as Zoom or Teams.

Application Form

The application form is for students currently in Year 14 (Upper Sixth) in the Ballymena area attending one of the following schools: Ballymena Academy, Cambridge House, Cullybackey College, Dunclug College, Saint Louis Grammar School, Saint Patrick’s College, or Slemish College OR students in their final year of the Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) commencing studies in September or October 2026.

Only complete this form if you meet all the criteria in Section A and at least one of the criteria in Section B.  

All the information given within this application form will be treated with the strictest confidence in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and will not be used for any other purpose than that for which it is given. https://supportingcommunities.org/privacy-notice

If you have any queries about the application process, please contact Stephanie McKillop at 02825 645676 or stef@supportingcommunities.org.

You may complete the form online below or download the Word document application and email it to us.