Care Experienced Bursary

We’re offering OU students with experience of care a £250 bursary.

If you’ve previously been in, or are currently in care, the Care Experienced Bursary could award you with £250 to help with study-related costs, such as internet or computer equipment.

Care Experienced Bursary

Our Care Experienced Bursary offers an award to registered students who are currently in, or have previously been in, the care of a Local Authority; for any length of time and at any stage in their life. This includes adopted children who were previously in care.

Eligible students may have been in care in one of many different settings, such as residential care, foster care, kinship care, or living at home under the supervision of a Social Worker.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Care Experienced Bursary, you’ll need to meet all the following criteria:

- Ordinarily resident in the UK and eligible for a UK module fee
- Able to demonstrate proof of care experience
- Have a gross personal income of no more than £25,000 per year, or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit
- Actively studying at least 30 credits of Open University undergraduate or postgraduate study during the relevant academic year for which you are applying for a bursary.

Applying for the Care Experienced Bursary

If you’re a student who meets the eligibility criteria and would like to apply, you can complete the online webform on StudentHome at https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding/care-experienced-bursary. Forms are assessed once received and applicants receive an email with the outcome within 10 working days.

Students who submit an eligible application will receive a £250 payment by bank transfer.