De Montfort University, Leicester - Estranged Students Bursary

What you get

De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester will pay you up to 1,150 EUR (1,000 GBP) per year of your course if you are studying away from your parents. This is the core bursary for students without a family background (‘Estranged Students Bursary’), and DMU usually pays it out every year of your degree. In addition, DMU may award a ‘Summer Accommodation Award’ of up to approximately 1,150 EUR (1,000 GBP) to cover summer rent if you do not have a family home to return to. It may also award a ‘Final Year Award’ of up to approximately 1,150 EUR (1,000 GBP) in your final year of study. You can receive this award in addition to another scholarship.

Who can apply

• Estranged status: Student Finance England (SFE) classifies you as ‘independent due to estrangement’, which means that you are not in regular contact with your parents.
• University: You are enrolled directly at De Montfort University, not at a partner university.
• Fee status: You are classified as a domestic/UK student for the purposes of tuition fees and will pay the full fee.
• Course: You are enrolled on a full-time Bachelor’s degree programme. Master’s students are only eligible if they obtained their Bachelor’s degree at DMU and had already received this scholarship at that time.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Timing: The scholarship is not awarded to students repeating a year.

How to apply

There is no separate application form. If you are applying via UCAS, please tick the ‘estranged student’ box. You should then send the SFE evidence of your estrangement, such as a letter from a social worker, teacher or doctor. Finally, please contact the DMU Transitions Team, as payment is not made automatically.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is not a competitive award. It is intended for a specific group of DMU students who are officially recognised by the SFE as being estranged from their parents. If you have this recognition and are enrolled as a full-time student on a bachelor’s degree programme directly at DMU, you should receive the funding. The biggest risk is missing out on the funding because you have never contacted the Transition Team – so please get in touch with the team at an early stage.