We recognise that students who are care leavers or are estranged from their families might face different or additional challenges when coming to university. This can also be the case during the transition to life after graduation.  

If this applies to you, then you may apply for the ‘Aston Support Fund Moving On Grant for Care Leavers and Estranged Students’. This grant of £1000 aims to assist you with moving on costs such as rental deposits, relocation costs and the cost of attending your graduation.

We don’t want you to feel unsupported by the University as you move into a new stage of your life or miss out on the chance to celebrate your achievements.

Applications for the Moving On grant are open if you are eligible you will receive an email from the University inviting you to apply. 

Who is eligible?

You will be considered for the grant if:

You are a current 'home' 2022/23 undergraduate finalist

and

You qualify for full student support funding from the Student Loans Company as an ‘Independent student’ either as a care leaver or on the basis of estrangement

and

You are not currently on University Sanctions for student debt

and

You have completed the online application form for the ‘Moving On Grant for Care Leavers and Estranged students’ before 12pm midday on 30th June 2023.

and

You can provide a letter or email from the Student Loans Company to confirm that you have been assessed as an Independent Student on the basis that you are a care leaver, or are estranged. This can be requested from the Independence Team or estranged.

and

You qualify to be awarded in the 2022/23 academic year and would be eligible to attend a graduation ceremony in July 2023. This will be verified by Student and Academic Services.

How do I apply?
  • If you have identified as a care leaver through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application form or via the enrolment or re-enrolment process we will email you to invite you to apply for the grant.
     
  • If you have identified to The Hub that you are an estranged student we will email you to invite you to apply for the grant.
     
  • If you think that you meet the eligibility criteria above but have not received the link please contact financial support.
How will I find out if I have been successful?

Once the Exam Boards have met and your award has been confirmed we will email you to confirm your grant. 

How and when will I receive the grant?

Once your grant is confirmed we will email you to ask you for your bank details so that the £1000 grant can be transferred to your bank account.

The grant will be transferred into your bank account using the BACS process.

  • Bank details will be collected using a secure encrypted method already established within the university. Bank details will remain in a secure password protected environment and not stored after use.
  • If you are successful and you submit your bank details when requested, your grant will be transferred to your bank account at the end of July 2023.
Is there a deadline?

The ‘Moving On Grant for Care Leavers and Estranged students’ deadline has passed and the fund is now closed for applications.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

Questions regarding eligibility criteria and the application process or payments should be sent to financial support.

Policy