A further four universities have signed up to a student finance scheme offered by Lloyds Banking Group.
The financial institute announced the Universities of Edinburgh, Oxford and Warwick, as well as University College London, have agreed to join the Lloyds Scholars programme.
As part of the project, scholars from below average income families are provided with a full financial and support package, with 15 students from each university offered support from October 2012 onwards.
Antonio Horta-Osorio, chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, explained the lender is delighted to be extending the offering from two learning establishments to six.
Mr Horta-Osorio stated: “We have developed the programme to give undergraduates all-round professional and vocational experience.”
He added the launch of the programme last year was accompanied by a commitment to expand the initiative at a later date – a promise that is being fulfilled with these latest signings.
Other benefits of the initiative see students given access to mentoring from the senior management team at the group, in addition to paid internships at the bank and the opportunity to attend lectures and workshops organised by Lloyds.