Bursaries for Care Leavers

Aberystwyth University is aware of the financial difficulties faced by students entering higher education who have previously been in Care.  In order to ease this financial pressure, we are pleased to introduce the following:

  • Full Bursary for Care Leavers - £1,800 per annum*
    Criterion: Students who are under 24 and who can demonstrate that they have been in Care prior to their 16th birthday for a period of 6 months or more.
  • Part Bursary for Care Leavers - £1,000 per annum**
    Criterion: Students who are under 24 and who can demonstrate that they have been in Care prior to their 16th birthday for a period of 3-6 months.

* This amount is based on the anticipated accommodation costs for vacation periods at £75.25 x 20 weeks = £1505 plus £295 additional costs of items for independent living such as duvet, sheets, household appliances, course books and other study materials.    It is assumed that students would find vacation employment to meet additional living costs.

** This amount is based on an understanding that young people who have been in Care intermittently or for a period of 3-6 months are likely to have experienced serious disruption to their education, in addition to other aspects of their lives.  This award would provide them with the means to reside at the University for part of the vacation period and could enable them to become independent if they so choose.

Students in receipt of Care Leaver Bursaries are also guaranteed accommodation in a Hall of Residence / University managed property for the duration of their course.  In order to secure a place in Residence, students must apply for accommodation for the following academic year within dates advertised by the Accommodation Office for returning students.

  1. Bursaries will be awarded to all qualifying full-time UK undergraduates who meet the terms of their offer, irrespective of year of entry, and is in addition to other forms of statutory and institutional support.
  2. Awards are allocated by the University’s Awarding Panel, whose decision is final.
  3. The award is tenable for the normal duration of their scheme of study and subject to satisfactory academic progress.

Please contact the Centre for Widening Participation and Social Inclusion if you are eligible to receive this Bursary – Tel: 01970 621890 / Email: wpsi@aber.ac.uk