Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary
This bursary is for students aged under 25, who come to York as care leavers or who are irreconcilably estranged from their parents.
The package is available for each year of full-time study for the duration of the course, reduced by 50% for full-year sandwich placements or study abroad years.
The value of the award is:
- Year 1: £3,000
- Year 2: £2,500
- Final year: £2,500 plus £1,000 to be paid in term three to assist with graduation and interview costs.
For 2023 entry, see our bursaries guide for current students.
Open to UK (home) students only.
The Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary is open to students with a 'Home' fee status. If you're unsure whether you're classed as a UK or international student for fee purposes, check your fee status.
The term ‘estranged student’ describes someone who has no communication with both of their biological or adoptive parents, and the situation is likely to remain permanent.
The Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary is for students aged under 25, who come to York having been in the care of their UK local authority; or who have come through the national Foyer Federation (foyer.net), or who are irreconcilably estranged from their parents.
- If you are a Care Leaver, we will automatically assess your eligibility based on the information supplied in your Student Finance England application. There is no need to apply for the bursary directly.
- If you have been assessed as independent by Student Finance England because you are estranged from your parents, we will automatically assess your eligibility based on the information supplied in your Student Finance England application. You can contact our dedicated contact for estranged students if you need assistance in establishing estrangement status with your Student Finance provider. If you have been assessed as independent due to both parents having passed away please get in contact with our dedicated contact, who will establish your eligibility.
The cut-off date for receiving 2023/24 awards is 30 June 2024.
If you live on campus during the first year of your studies, the bursary will be paid directly to Accommodation Services. Before making your accommodation payment, you will need to subtract the bursary amount to avoid an overpayment.
If you live in private sector accommodation or in receipt of the accommodation subsidy, the bursary will be paid directly into your bank account in three instalments (usually in October, January and April). For further information on bursaries, please see the Bursary FAQs.
Careers - On Track
The University offers an exclusive opportunity for first and second year undergraduates in receipt of a York Bursary to participate in On Track. On Track is an opt-in programme which offers opportunities for students to participate in a range of activities which are designed to help them develop key employability skills over the year. This includes access to professional development workshops, coaching and workplace visits, building confidence and professional networks along the way.
If you are a first or second year undergraduate student and you have received a letter about your bursary eligibility, look out for an invitation to a briefing session in October 2023. This will come from the Careers and Placements team via Handshake. Information about the programme can be found on the On Track Programme webpage.
Contact us
If you have questions relating to any of our funding opportunities, please see the contact details on the specific scholarship or bursary page.