Care leavers, care experienced, and estranged student support

St Mary's Cares Bursary eligibility

Home/UK Undergraduate or PGCE (those who are not receiving a teacher training bursary) students.

Have to provide a letter from either your local authority, social worker, personal advisor, or key worker confirming care leaver or care-experienced status OR be able to provide evidence that you have been assessed as estranged by Student Finance England OR a letter confirming your young carer status. If you have any questions on evidence required, please email studentfundingservice@stmarys.ac.uk

Value

• £3,000 awarded to care leavers, care experienced, and estranged students paid in three instalments throughout the academic year. We award as many eligible students this bursary each year, however if demand is high, we have to prioritise awards.
• £1,000 awarded to young carers paid in two instalments throughout the academic year. We award as many eligible students this bursary each year, however if demand is high, we have to prioritise awards.
• Students must progress to the next academic year to continue receiving the bursary; otherwise, it will be temporarily paused.

How to apply

• There is no application form; however, evidence will need to be provided as detailed above.
• If you have declared care leaver status via UCAS when applying to St Mary's, someone will contact you directly throughout the Summer.
• If you haven't declared care leaver status via UCAS, are care experienced, estranged or a young carer, please contact Dimple or Rebecca, on studentfundingservice@stmarys.ac.uk directly to inform them of your status and any relating evidence.

Student Finance

• Please ensure you have a Student Finance England (SFE) account and give your consent to share your financial information with St Mary's University.
• For care leavers, you will need to provide SFE with your proof of care leaver evidence to receive the maximum financial support available to you.
• If you require any advice or guidance in relation to your SFE application, please do get in touch.

Notification and payment

• Eligible students will be contacted via their St Mary's student email address, confirming the award and payment dates.

Other scholarships

• Students who are awarded the St Mary's Cares bursary are also able to apply for another bursary or scholarship without affecting this award.

Terms and conditions

• In the first instance, the St Mary's Cares Bursary will be prioritised for care leavers, care-experienced, and young carer students.
• Estranged students aren't guaranteed a bursary and will be awarded one if there are funds available, however, should still apply by contacting one of the designated contacts as there are options for other financial support.
• St Mary’s Cares bursaries do not need to be repaid.
• Eligible students must be registered at St Mary’s University by 31st October of their first year. You must also have had your household income assessed by Student Finance England by this date, or had independent status confirmed.
• Eligible students must attend an induction meeting with one of the designated members of staff, Rebecca Hughes or Dimple Mehta-Mody, by mid-October of their first year. You will be invited to this meeting when you have registered as a student at St Mary’s, however do feel free to reach out to them directly.
• Students must be undertaking their first Undergraduate degree (i.e. not previously completed an undergraduate degree programme before).
• St Mary's Cares support only includes students aged under 25 at the start of their degree programme. If you are aged 25 or over, there may be some support available; however, you will need to email the designated contacts. 
• The award is payable for a maximum of three years when studying on an undergraduate programme, and one year when studying for a PGCE (students who haven't received a teacher training bursary).  You must be enrolled and studying on a full-time course to receive the bursary in each subsequent year.
• The bursary will not be paid during part-time or full-time repeat academic years, or during any dormant/suspended periods.
• If more students meet the criteria than funds available, bursaries will be prioritised. If you do not receive a bursary but meet the criteria, please email the designated contacts to find out what other financial support is available.
• The following categories of students are not eligible:
• Students transferring from another institution
• Students undertaking a postgraduate qualification (except PGCE students who aren't in receipt of a teacher training bursary).

The Widening Participation Bursary is awarded to a small group of first-year students (level 4) who meet specific eligibility criteria*.

If awarded, the bursary of between £1,000 and £2,000**pa will be automatically applied to each year of your degree programme at St Mary’s University (maximum of three years for an undergraduate degree).  Additional funding for one year may be available if you progress to a PGCE programme that does not have a DfE bursary.

There is no need to apply for this bursary in advance; instead, eligible students will be automatically notified after enrolment and invited to apply at that point. Eligibility is based on the following factors:

• Classification as a Home/UK student
• Enrolment in a full-time undergraduate or eligible PGCE programme starting in September
• Having declared on your UCAS application (or SMU enrolment form for non-UCAS entrants) that you have received free school meals at any point within the last six years.

Please note:

*This bursary will not normally be awarded to students transferring to St Mary’s at Level 5 or 6, except in exceptional circumstances and where bursary funding becomes available.

**The amount of the initial award may vary annually (between £1,000 and £2,000 per annum, depending on the number of eligible applicants), but the amount you are awarded in year 1 will remain constant throughout your degree period.

This bursary is discretionary and limited and not everyone who is eligible will be able to receive the award. The selection process will be included in the notification to eligible students and will be fair, transparent and final.

The university reserves the right to withdraw the award at any time should you behave in a manner that brings either yourself, or the university, into disrepute, if you have a finding of serious academic or non-academic misconduct against you, or if you are a university debtor.

St Mary's Cares students are given priority to the St Mary's Hardship Fund. You can email studentfundingservice@stmarys.ac.uk or come in to see us in the Student Funding Office. This is based in the Student Services Centre, on the top floor of the J Building, and we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.

St Mary’s recognises that the Summer can be a difficult period for St Mary's Cares students and can provide a grant to help contribute to the costs of living in the period between academic years. This can also assist the cost of on-site accommodation over this period if you are a resident student. Please contact the Student Funding Service to find out more. 

Graduation is such a wonderful celebration of students’ hard work, and we don’t want anyone to miss out on this because of the cost involved. We can provide a one-off payment to cover the following costs:

• gown hire
• guest tickets x 2
• basic photo package.

We recognise that the transition into life after university can be a challenging one, especially financially. Once graduated, St Mary's Cares students can receive an award to assist with immediate living costs, such as rent or support in travel costs to and from interviews.

Are you 25 or under and caring for a family member while studying?

If you're an undergraduate or PGCE (not in receipt of a teacher training bursary) student with significant unpaid caring responsibilities, you may be eligible for additional support.

Find out more

• Pre-entry summer meeting organised by the designated contact.
• Priority invite to our ‘Get Set for Success’ pre-enrolment transition programme.
• Access to 365 days accommodation if needed with deposit paid on behalf of the student. If you are aware that you will need accommodation 365 days, please speak with the designated contact.
• Fast track interview onto our paid Student Ambassador Scheme if requested.
• Pastoral support with regular check-ins throughout the year with direct links to other supportive services such as the Wellbeing Services, Accommodation Services and Employability Service.
• Life-long career support and advice (available to all St Mary’s students).