University of Portsmouth - Care Leavers and Foyer Residents Bursary

Care Leaver Bursary at the University of Portsmouth

You will receive £1,700 per year (about 1,970 EUR) if you were in care and are studying at the University of Portsmouth. The amount of the grant is not means-tested, and you will never have to repay it. You can apply for this in addition to the University of Portsmouth’s standard grant of £500 per year (approximately 580 EUR), but not in addition to the university’s ‘Stand Alone Bursary’ or ‘Young Carer Bursary’. You’ll also receive more than just money: a personal adviser to support you throughout your studies, help with financial planning, a guaranteed place in student accommodation all year round (which you pay for yourself), and priority access to careers advice during your studies and for the five years afterwards.

Who can apply

• Care background: You have spent at least 13 weeks in care, part of which was during your teenage years, and left the care system in the year before you started your degree. If you were in care previously and are now undertaking vocational training, you may also be eligible; the exact rules depend on your local authority.
• Level: You are a full-time student, either on a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme that includes lectures.
• Where you study: You’re studying at the University of Portsmouth, whether you’re just starting out or are already enrolled.
• Status: You are a student from the UK.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Income: Proof of income is not required. The grant is not means-tested.

How to apply

You should indicate your financial support status on your UCAS application. If you have already applied or are unsure whether you meet the criteria, please contact the university’s ‘Student Money’ team by email or telephone. They will then assess your eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is aimed exclusively at former residents of a specific university’s halls of residence; as such, the target group is small and there is no ranking list. If you meet the eligibility criteria regarding the length of your stay in halls of residence and your course of study, you will not be competing against other applicants, and there is no means test to pass. Please declare your hall of residence status via UCAS at an early stage so that the support is available from the very start of your degree.