Cardiff Metropolitan University - Care Leavers bursary

Benefit

You will receive a cash payment of up to £1,000 per year (about 1,150 EUR), which you will never have to repay, towards a full-time undergraduate degree programme at Cardiff Metropolitan University lasting up to 3 years. In addition, you will automatically receive the ‘Study Life Award’, worth up to £850 (approximately 980 EUR), to cover food, accommodation, printing costs and travel expenses. You will also be allocated a place in a student hall of residence that is open all year round, including during the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays. A personal mentor (a member of staff who provides you with individual support) will support you throughout your studies; you will have a meeting with them before your studies begin, and you can seek advice on matters relating to finances, disability and mental health. The university awards this grant itself to support students who come to university without family support.

Eligibility

• Your situation: You are either a former resident of a children’s home (who, since your 14, has been in the care of a local authority for at least 13 weeks) or a student with no contact with your parents (who was permanently cut off from both parents before starting your studies and has no contact with them).
• University: You are a new full-time undergraduate student at Cardiff Metropolitan University, starting in your first year or at Foundation level. You are also eligible if you are transferring to the second or third year from a franchise programme offered by Cardiff Met, such as an HND or a Foundation Degree with another provider.
• Residence and fee status: You live permanently in the United Kingdom and, for the purposes of tuition fees, are considered a ‘domestic’ student rather than an international student.
• Age: On 1 September of the school year, you are 25 years old or younger.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Proof: You can name a carer or another professional who is familiar with your situation.

How to apply

If you have a background in child and youth care, tick the box marked ‘Experience in child and youth care’ on your UCAS application form. If you come from a broken home, please contact the university directly. There is no separate deadline, as the process is handled via your UCAS application. The university offers an interview before you start your studies.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is very narrowly defined. It is aimed exclusively at former residents of children’s homes and students with no contact with their families, who are studying at a specific university, are 25 years old or younger, and are classified as ‘Home students’. As a result, the group of eligible applicants remains small and competition is low. If you clearly fall into one of these two categories and can provide evidence of this from a supervisor, your chances are good.