Care Leavers' and Estranged Students' Bursary

In order to access the bursary students will need to provide evidence that they meet the eligibility criteria.

For care leavers this may be from a key worker or social worker from the local authority or other professional person who can confirm their care leaver status.

Estranged students will need to provide evidence from a professional person that they are irreconcilably estranged from their parent or guardian and evidence that they have been assessed as independent from Student Finance.

Estranged students will need to provide evidence that they meet the eligibility criteria at the beginning of each year of study in order to receive the bursary.

Estranged students will need to meet with the dedicated contact each year they are eligible for the bursary to confirm that they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. Further evidence may be requested if required.

This award offers a non-repayable bursary of £1000 per year to undergraduate and postgraduate taught students who have left the care of their local authority or are irreconcilably estranged from their families and meet the relevant eligibility criteria. In addition to the annual bursary, recipients receive an award of £500 upon graduation.

Eligibility

This award is available for all undergraduate and postgraduate taught students who:

Commence/commenced their undergraduate or postgraduate taught master's degree at Keele in or after September 2018
Are classed as a ‘home' student for fee status purposes.
Are under the age of 25 at the start of their course at Keele*

AND

Have spent at least 13 weeks in care (e.g. foster care or children's home) since the age of 14 and were in care on their 16th birthday

OR

Were privately fostered until the age of 16 or were 'looked after' until they were subject to a Special Guardianship Order.

OR

Have been assessed as independent by Student Finance England or other local authority, because they are estranged from their parents or guardian. Postgraduate students must provide evidence from a professional person who can confirm their estrangement.

*Please note, if you commence your course aged 24, you will remain eligible to receive the Care Leaver & Estranged Students' Bursary for the length of your course unless your circumstances change.

If your course starts in September, the 'start of your course' will be considered 1st September to ensure fairness across academic years. This bursary is for students who will be based at Keele University and start their studies in September 2025 or January 2026. The award cannot be used for any other year of entry.

Students studying on a part time basis or a professional postgraduate course are eligible for a pro-rata award.