By Jessica Bown Bursary schemeHow being awarded the AAT Bursary is helping me to follow my dreams10 Mar 2022 When AAT Level 3 student Hayley Dunn became pregnant at the age of 18, she was unable to continue with the bookkeeping studies she had started after leaving school.“I first started studying with AAT when I was 17, but after having my first child I became a stay-at-home mum for a long time,” said Dunn, who lives in Stoke Gifford near Bristol and is now a single mum to her four children, Lucas, 12, Ashton, 10, Lexie, 8, and Phoenix, 2.“I did a bit of cleaning and catering work, and was also a nail technician for a while, but I always dreamed of getting back into accountancy, which was what I wanted to do from the age of 16.”Starting out with AATDunn started studying again with AAT in 2020 and applied for the AAT Bursary in early 2021 on the recommendation of her Level 2 tutor at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, who thought she would be a good candidate for funding of this kind.To Dunn’s amazement, her application was successful, which gave her the financial freedom to move straight on to the Level 3 course. “I explained my situation in my application, but I never thought I’d get the Bursary,” said Dunn, 31. “I just thought everyone would be applying for it. But it has been a great help as it covered all my Level 3 course fees, as well as a year’s AAT membership.“If I’d not received the Bursary, I would really have struggled to cover those costs myself and would definitely have had to take out a loan to continue my studies.”Plans to start a businessDunn’s plan now is to go on to study Level 4, while also setting up her own bookkeeping business. “I have found it impossible to find a job that works around school holidays,” she said. “As my older children both have autism, I also have to be available to pick them up from school if necessary, so I really need the flexibility of working for myself.“My long-term goal is to move into a management accounting role and move up the ladder that way, but for now becoming a self-employed bookkeeper is the best way to use my skills while continuing to be there for my children.”She is very grateful to AAT for choosing her as one of its 2021 AAT Bursary recipients and would advise anyone facing financial difficulties to apply through the scheme.“It’s definitely worth doing, so I would encourage anyone who is in a similar situation to apply,” Dunn added. “In fact, I’ve advised a friend on my course at college to apply for the Bursary this year.”About the AAT Bursary schemeLaunched in 2020, the AAT Bursary scheme supports financially disadvantaged students who are keen to study for an AAT qualification – helping to ensure that dedicated individuals can succeed in the sector regardless of their personal circumstances.The scheme is open to UK residents aged 16 or over, and includes the entire range of AAT qualifications for the entry level Access qualification all the way to the highest AAT qualification, the Professional Diploma in Accounting at level 4. a range of AAT accounting, bookkeeping, and business qualifications – from the Access Award in Bookkeeping (Level 1) and the Foundation Diploma in Accounting and Business (Level 2) for 16 to 19-year-olds to the Professional Diploma in Accounting (Level 4).For successful applicants, it covers all the costs involved in taking the relevant qualification, thereby offering a potentially life-changing chance for people who would otherwise struggle to pay these costs.Adam Williamson, Head of Professional Standards at AAT, said: “The AAT Bursary provides a fantastic opportunity to change the lives of individuals who need financial support.“AAT qualifications are globally recognised and give thousands of people the chance to start an exciting career in finance. We believe this scheme will add to our success stories.”AAT Bursary schemeYou can read more about apply for the AAT Bursary and the eligibility requirements via the AAT website.Further readingHow the AAT Bursary is helping me switch careersHow my AAT Bursary is helping me achieve my dreams5 steps to kick start your career in accountancy Jessica Bown is an award-winning freelance journalist and editor.