Having navigated the challenges of the “missing middle” as a student, Dr Nicole Taylor deeply understands the financial barriers that prevent so many from accessing higher education. This is why she’ll be taking on the Cape Town Cycle this year, to raise funds for the many students who find themselves in the same position she did years ago.
Stellenbosch, South Africa (17 February 2025) – We hear it all the time: that “education is the key to success”. And while this holds true for many individuals in our country and beyond, sadly another truth is that education comes at a cost, and many don’t get to access this kind of life-changing education due to financial constraints.
This is a tough reality that Dr Nicole Taylor, a lecturer at Stellenbosch University (SU), knows all too well. It’s for this very reason that she is training hard and will be getting on her bike at the Cape Town Cycle Tour to raise R5,000 for SU students desperate to unlock their potential.
As a former student who experienced the challenges of being part of the “missing middle,” (students whose families earn just enough to not qualify for government funding but not enough to afford higher education) Dr Taylor understands the financial barriers that many South African students face in accessing higher education.
According to the university, during her time as a student at SU, Dr Taylor was in a position where her family’s income was just enough to disqualify her for government funding but not enough to cover the full costs of her education.
Now, as a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, she is determined to be the source of support for others that she desperately needed back then – by participating in the Cape Town Cycle Tour to raise funds for this important cause.
The funds will support students who face similar challenges, enabling them to pursue their dreams without the added stress of financial hardship.
“Education has the power to transform lives, but financial barriers can make that transformation seem out of reach for many students. Every kilometre I cycle is a step closer to making education more accessible for all,” Dr Taylor says.
She invites everyone to contribute, big or small, to help make a difference for students in need.
To support her incredible initiative visit Dr Taylor’s GivenGain page.
Sources: Stellenbosch University
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