Estranged Bursary at University of Essex 2026

Estranged Bursary 2024-25

• The Estranged Bursary is a financial support initiative for students who are estranged from their parents or guardians, helping to cover university-related costs.
• This bursary is part of the University of Essex’s commitment to making higher education more accessible and supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

 Eligibility

To be eligible for the Estranged Bursary, you must meet the following criteria:

• Estranged Status: You must be verified as estranged by the Estranged Bursary assessor.
• Estranged is defined as a student who has no support or approval from either biological or adoptive parents due to a significant breakdown in the relationship.
• This generally means you have had no contact with your parents for 12 months or more, and this situation is unlikely to change.
• Self-Funding: The bursary is available to students who are assessed as paying Home fees and are self-funded.
• This includes students who receive repayable loans (e.g., tuition fee loans from Student Finance England).
• Study Mode: You must be registered for a full-time or substantial part-time undergraduate or postgraduate course at Essex in the 2024-25 academic year.
• Substantial part-time refers to a course that is at least 50% of the full-time equivalent.
• Student Finance Funding: You must have applied for and been approved for funding from Student Finance England (or another UK funding provider) with the University of Essex as your chosen institution and have consented to share your data. 

Students Who Are Not Eligible

• You cannot apply for this bursary if you fall into the following categories:
• Assessment Only Students: Students who are not attending and are on an assessment-only programme.
• Repeat Year Students: Students who are repeating a year of study, or repeating part-time study.
• Employer-Sponsored Courses: Students whose course is sponsored by an employer.
• Distance Learning: Students enrolled in distance learning programmes.
• Unsubstantial Part-Time or Short Courses: Students on part-time courses that are less than 50% of the full-time equivalent, or short courses.
• Partner Institutions: Students studying through University of Essex partners like Kaplan or University of Essex Online.
• Higher/Degree Apprenticeships: Students enrolled in apprenticeship courses. 

Application Process

To apply for the Estranged Bursary:

• Eligibility Check: Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria listed above.
• Log in to Blackbullion: If you are a University of Essex student, log in to your Blackbullion account (or register if you do not already have an account).
• Complete the Application:Go to the ‘Funds’ tab and select ‘Estranged Bursary’.
• Complete the application form and upload the required supporting evidence.
• Submit Application: Submit the application form by the deadline: Friday 25th July 2025. 

Value/Benefit

• Full-time Students: If you are studying full-time, you will receive a bursary of £1,500 for the academic year.
• Part-time Students: If you are studying part-time (at least 50% of a full-time course), you will receive £750.