Southampton Solent University - Care Leavers

Care Leavers Bursary at Southampton Solent University

You will receive £1,500 per academic year (about 1,750 EUR) for the entire duration of your Bachelor’s degree. The amount is paid out in annual instalments and does not need to be repaid. There is no means test, so it does not matter how much you and your family earn. You will continue to receive the funding as long as you are enrolled and actively participating in your studies. In addition to the funding, Solent University offers you further support: Priority when allocating rooms in student halls of residence, a personal contact person to support you, a place on the university’s ‘On-Track’ programme with an optional personal mentor, and a financial review to ensure you are making the most of all the support available to you.

Who can apply

• University: You are studying full-time at Southampton Solent University to obtain a first (bachelor’s) degree.
• Care background: A local authority looked after you for at least 13 weeks at a specific point in time, after you had turned 14 years old and before your 18th birthday. You will need proof of this from social services or the local authority.
• Age: On the first day of your course, you will be at 25.
• Where you are from: You are a domestic student from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland or the Channel Islands.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Financial need: Not required. Your income will not be assessed when the scholarship is awarded.

How to apply

Please contact the university’s student finance team, who will then send you an application form. Complete this form, submit proof of your status as a former resident, and your application for the scholarship will be assessed. The deadline is 19 June.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is aimed at a small target group: you must be studying at Solent, have been in local authority care as a teenager, and be registered with 25. Very few people meet all three criteria, so competition is low. This is not a competition between the best applications. If you meet the criteria and can provide evidence of your care status, you should be awarded the scholarship. Contact the funding team well in advance and gather your supporting documents in good time.