The BU Care Leavers Bursary is for UK and EU students who need extra financial support when they come to university and is specifically for anyone who has been in full-time care for three months or more within the last five years, and who meets the other eligibility criteria. Unlike a loan, you don’t have to pay a bursary back, and it’s designed to give you the financial support you need to access higher education.
You only need to apply once for this bursary and, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria, you will receive it every year (except on placement years) during your time at BU.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a BU Care Leavers Bursary, you must:
- have been in full-time care for three months or more within the last five years
- be a new full or part-time student at BU or one of our partner colleges
- be entering higher education for the first time
- have a family income of less than £25,000 per year
- not be receiving support for your fees or living expenses from a company or charity
- have selected BU as your firm or first choice through UCAS.
If you’re an EU national, you need to have been living in the UK for the last three years.
Offered Benefits
Students will receive £6,000 to support their learning and living costs in their first year at university, and £5,000 in their second and final years of study.
Students from elsewhere in the EU will be awarded this bursary as a tuition fee discount to the value of £6,000 in their first year and £5,000 in their second and final years.
How are bursaries paid?
Your bursary will be loaded onto a pre-paid Mastercard. The money will be made available to you in nine instalments from October to June. You can only spend money that’s in your account, so you can’t go overdrawn, and you can receive up to 2% cashback on purchases at certain retailers. You will be advised of the full terms and conditions when you collect your card following enrolment at BU.
