Lincoln student wins prestigious £285k scholarship at Princeton University

A talented student and community champion from Lincoln has been rewarded for his hard work with a scholarship worth £285,000 at a top US university.

Ben Coles, 17, from Lincoln is completing his A levels at The Priory Academy LSST.

He will take up his place at Princeton University in new Jersey this Autumn.

Ben is a first generation university student and his lived in the city of Lincoln all of his life.

He has a passion for community service, and, ever since his brother lost his sight in 2008, has worked extensively across the country within the young blind community in order to maintain access to sport and education after sight loss.

He loves sport and has competed as a footballer both in and outside of his school whilst enjoying both badminton and cycling. In addition, Ben has become a fully qualified coach in the Paralympic sport of goalball.

Ben hopes to major in maths at university after qualifying and
competing in the British Mathematical Olympiad in his time at school.

He won the place and financial aid package after participating in the Sutton Trust US Programme, run in partnership with the US-UK Fulbright Commission.

Last year, Ben was one of 150 students selected for the programme, which included a summer school in the US at either Yale University or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

They competed with over 1,000 applicants to win a place on the programme and spent a week living on campus and visiting many other US universities.

Ben said: “It feels incredible to have been admitted to Princeton. This time last year, I would have never thought this was possible and I am so thankful for everyone who has helped me get to this position. I can’t wait to begin my time in the US this August.”

The participants admitted early have been offered a total of approximately $11m of financial aid from the universities over the next four years. They have been accepted to 31 different institutions, including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Columbia.

Sir Peter Lampl, Founder and Chairman of the Sutton Trust and Chairman of the Education Endowment Foundation, said: “America’s leading universities are bastions of progressive values and outstanding education. Their campuses are welcoming places for international students, whatever country or social background they come from.

“I’m delighted that 42 state school students have won places to study in the States. They will benefit from a broad and varied curriculum as well as in-depth study and generous funding for both tuition and living costs.”