Care Experienced Bursary

To apply for the Bursary, you will need to provide evidence you have lived in a Care setting for at least 13 weeks, between the ages of 14 and 18.

If you are struggling to get evidence, please get in touch with us using the contact details below, as we will assess each application on a case-by-case basis, taking into account your individual circumstances.

From the 2026 to 2027 academic year, any individual who can evidence that they meet or previously met the statutory definition of a care leaver in the Student Finance England Student Support Regulations (including those aged 25 or over) is entitled to the maximum loan for living costs automatically on application and will be exempt from means testing. In line with this policy change the University has removed the age cap on this Bursary, allowing new students aged 25 and over to apply for the Bursary.

The award for full-time students is £1,000 cash per academic year over the normal duration of the course. A repeat year or period of study may be eligible; however, these will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you are studying part-time, payments will spread over the anticipated duration of your course with the amount awarded each year based on the number of credits studied. This includes students who are on a full-time course but are studying less than a full-time credit load (known as “part time student on a full-time course”.

This Bursary includes an additional one-off payment of £500 upon successful completion of the course of study.

To qualify for the Bursary, you must be able to demonstrate that you:

• Have lived in a Care setting for at least 13 weeks, between the ages of 14 and 18.
• Are a home (UK) student paying tuition fees to University of Greater Manchester in 2026/27 and subsequent academic years via a tuition fee loan or self-funding.
• are studying a full-time or part-time undergraduate course which is delivered at the University of Greater Manchester main campus.
• Commencing your course in September 2026 or January 2027.
• Assessed as a care leaver by Student Finance England and in receipt of the maximum maintenance loan.

Current students who commenced an eligible course in a previous academic year, and are still current on the course, may still apply to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, subject to satisfying the criteria and providing the relevant evidence. Being able to apply is not a guarantee of an award, as you still have to provide the necessary evidence, and any payments that may be agreed will not be backdated. You must be still on your course; applications cannot be made retrospectively if you have completed your course.

You will not be eligible to apply if you are:

• A student whose tuition fees are paid by a sponsor or employer
• Externally enrolled and/or pay your tuition fees to another institution
• Studying on an Apprenticeship programme
• Undertaking industrial or work experience on a full-time basis
• Studying abroad
• Studying at a partner institution

The Bursary will be paid each academic year by eight monthly instalments on the 18th of every month. Payments will be £125 per month, payable direct into your nominated bank account. An additional payment of £500 will be paid upon successful completion of your course.

If your course begins in September, payments will be made every month from November to June. If your course begins in January, payments will be made in March, April, May, June, November, December, January and February for each year of study. Payments for courses starting in other months will be adjusted accordingly.

Please note, payments cannot be backdated. If you submit a successful application after the date that month’s payments are made, you will receive your first payment in the next calendar month.

Payment is subject to continued attendance and satisfactory progression on your course.

Please visit the Blackbullion funds page: https://www.blackbullion.com/.

For further information on the Bursary please contact the Student Funding Advisor:

Tel: 01204 90 3733
E-mail: studentfunding@greatermanchester.ac.uk

You can also contact the Student Funding Advisor for budgeting advice, as well as financial health checks to ensure you are receiving the correct student funding.

For Information, advice and guidance on a wide range of academic, pastoral and student life issues, please contact our team of Student Advisors:

Tel: 01204 90 3733
E mail: studentfunding@greatermanchester.ac.uk.

For support with your course please contact your Personal Academic Tutor.

Payment of the Bursary will be terminated if you withdraw, transfer to another institution or fail your programme of study. Payments will be suspended if your studies are halted, interrupted or suspended, or if attendance and engagement is unsatisfactory. Information given is provisional and may be subject to change.