University College London - UCL Care Leaver Bursary

UCL Care Leaver Bursary

You will receive £1,000 per year (about 1,150 EUR) for the entire duration of your Bachelor’s degree at University College London (UCL). The money is intended to cover your living costs. It is paid out automatically each year for as long as you remain enrolled, so you do not need to submit a new application. In your first year, you can also apply for an advance of £200 (approximately 230 EUR) to help cover the cost of moving. UCL awards this grant to students who have lived in care homes. It is paid in addition to other UCL grants, such as the UCL Main Grant.

Who can apply

• University: You have been offered a place on a full-time Bachelor’s degree programme at UCL or are already studying there.
• Field of study: Every full-time bachelor’s degree programme counts.
• Residence: You live in the UK and have ‘home fee’ status, which means you pay the lower UK tuition fees rather than the fees charged to international students.
• Age: On the day the course starts, you will be classified as 25, and as long as you continue to receive the funds, you will remain classified as 25.
• Care background: You were in the care of your local authority for at least 13 weeks, or were provided with accommodation by them. This care came to an end after you turned 16 years old and before the first day of the school year.
• No return to parents: You did not move back in with your parents between leaving the care home and starting your degree.
• One bursary at a time: If you are eligible for this grant, you cannot also receive the grant for students who are no longer financially dependent on their parents.

How to apply

There is no separate application form and no set deadline. First, apply to UCL and to the student finance office. You should then send a letter from your local authority or social worker to your regional funding agency (e.g. Student Finance England, SAAS, SFW or SFNI) confirming your time in care. UCL will then automatically verify your status as a former care leaver and confirm payment by October.