New for 2019-20 starters
If you are irreconcilably estranged from both your parents, you are a UK student who is under 25 and you are considering full-time undergraduate study at Oxford Brookes, there is a lot of additional support that the University can offer you.
The
Stand Alone
definition states that: an estranged student is someone that has not had verbal or written contact with both of their biological, adoptive parents or their only living parent for a significant period of time and this will not change. A significant
period of time is usually considered twelve months or longer prior to the start of their course, but this can also depend on their circumstances.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must:
- be enrolled on a full-time undergraduate or foundation degree and registered as a student at Oxford Brookes University
- start your course here in the 2019/20 academic year or later
- be aged 25 years or under at the start of the course
- be entitled to support from Student Finance England (both tuition fee loan and maintenance loan)
- be formally estranged from your parents and recognised as being independent by Student Finance England or be irreconcilably estranged from both parents. This should be verified by an objective third party, which for the purposes of these
regulations, refers to any relevant person acting in a professional capacity, providing evidence for which they are professionally accountable (e.g. teacher from school/college or GP). This person should normally have known about their situation for
a substantial amount of time, and can verify that they do not have contact with their biological, adoptive or only living parents.
Bursary details
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The Bursary is worth £2,000 per academic year of study.
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You cannot be considered for an award if you have not responded to our requests for and provided appropriate proof of your estrangement.
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Awards cannot be claimed retrospectively for previous academic years.
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Awards will be paid for each year you are entitled to full student support funding from SFE
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The University reserves the right to terminate an award and demand repayment of funds already paid in the case of disciplinary action against an award-holder.
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The University reserves the right to withdraw a Bursary from anyone who is found to have misled the University about any aspect of their eligibility and to seek repayment of any monies already paid by appropriate means.
This bursary is paid out in two equal installments during 2019-20, as follows:
- 50% on 31 October 2019
- 50% on 31 January 2020
Guaranteed accommodation
All estranged students are entitled to guaranteed accommodation in our halls of residence for 52 weeks as long as the following criteria are met:
- Oxford Brookes must be selected as your firm choice on your UCAS form
- All university course entry requirements are met and you have received an unconditional offer.
To find out more about halls of residence and other accommodation available, please visit our
accommodation pages.
Student support
There is an excellent support system available to students who are estranged from their parents, and we have a dedicated contact in our Student Welfare Team who can offer support and advice during your time at Brookes. More information on support
can be found at:
How to apply
Students are requested to complete an application for the Estranged Student Bursary and evidence must be in the form of an original letter by an independent person such as a teacher from school/college, GP or social worker. This person should
normally have known about your situation for a substantial amount of time, and can verify that you do not have contact with your biological, adoptive or only living parents.
Please email
studentwelfare@brookes.ac.uk
to request an application form or support with applying for estranged student status.