A quick 'ditto' for the HCAP bursaries on offer - go for it, you'd be surprised how many people don't bother 'because I don't have a chance'! Actually, you do.
I could not agree more. At the local flying club where I teach one of the young students got onto the short list last year. He wasn't selected but learned a lot from entering. I mention the HCAP bursaries to all the young budding pilots - you have to be in it to win it!