Financial Support

Your time at University should be enjoyable and rewarding and Cardiff University aims to provide you with the information and support that will enable you to get the best out of your university experience. In particular, it is important that your time here should not be spoiled by unnecessary financial worries. The Student Support Centre at Cardiff University provides a comprehensive advice service on every aspect of financial support. So whether your student loan is late, you need assistance in managing your money or you just want some budgeting advice please get in contact. You can access the service by contacting Einir Evans the mentor for care leavers or have a look at their website for further information.

Care Leaver Bursary for new students starting in 2012-13

New undergraduate “home”students who start in 2012/13 and declare on their UCAS form at the time of application that they have been in care could receive a Care Leaver Bursary.

Eligibility Conditions:

You must have a recent history of being in Care either;

• having been in Care for  6 months from the age of 14 or
• having been in Care for 3 months from the age of 16 and
• have been in care in the last 10 years

Have fully enrolled on a qualifying*** full time undergraduate course.

Meet the UK* student funding residence requirements for living costs.

Be registered under the 2012 student funding regulations.

Value of Award

The value of the award is £1000 in the first year.  
£750 pa in each subsequent years and
£500 in the final term of your degree.

Application Process

Applicants will be identified from the information supplied on their UCAS form.  You will then be contacted by the mentor for care leavers to complete a short form confirming your status and to provide supporting evidence from your Local Authority such as a letter from your Social Worker. An application form will also be available, for 2012-13 entrants, on the right hand side of this web page in due course.

Payment conditions

The bursary is paid in 1 instalment at the start of each academic year, except the final payment which will be paid at the start of the final term.
The first year payment will be paid by cheque in October.  Subsequent payments will be paid directly to the student via a BACS payment at the end of October or start of the Summer term.

A student must be enrolled for each subsequent academic year before a further payment can be made.

Bursary procedures

Confirmation of award of a Care Leavers bursary will be sent within 2 weeks of receipt of care confirmation being received.
Any queries concerning the scheme should be referred to Sheila King, Financial Support Service, Student Support Centre or to Einir Evans the mentor for care leavers.

Bursary payment exemptions.

***PGCE courses are not covered by this scheme.
Any student who defers their application to 2013-14 will be considered under any schemes available at that time.
Students on a placement year, or students paying less than £9000 fees will not receive bursary payments.
Students on leave of absence will not receive bursary payments.
*as defined in the student support funding regulations.

If you think that you might qualify for this bursary please download the application form on the right hand side of this page and return it to the address provided on the form.

If you require further information on the bursary please get in touch with Einir Evans the mentor for care leavers.