This programme is now closed.
A bursary is a sum of money given to a student to help them during their university degree. This bursary fund gives up to £1,500 per year, usually for up to 3 years, subject to ongoing university attendance. Awards are usually for three years, but can be offered for longer courses in exceptional circumstances. You don’t need to repay the money as long as it is used as intended.
You can apply for money from here if:
- aged 18 to 24 (at the time of applying) and have been looked after or have received considerable support from Children’s Social Care in either Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset or South Gloucestershire;
- able to provide a reference (usually from a leaving care worker or social worker);
- entering higher education for the first time;
- a home (UK) undergraduate starting your course in September of the year of application submission;
- applying for the full student finance package that you are entitled to.
You may be asked to provide evidence of how you meet the above eligibility criteria.
How much money do we have to give out and what can it be used for?
The Fund can award around 4 bursaries each year.
Bursary payments will be made directly to you to assist with accommodation, purchase of books and equipment, travelling or any other expenses that are incurred as part of your degree course.
How do I apply for a bursary?
You will need to complete an online application form which you can access by clicking on the link towards the bottom of this page. Make sure you tick the box at the top of the form to be able to save it and return to it later.
Please contact us if you can’t use the online form. We’ll support you to make your application in another way.
The form asks you to provide:
- your personal details (name, address, email, phone, date of birth)
- the names of the school(s) you have attended and the dates you attended them
- the name of your chosen university and the course that you intend to study
- your academic qualifications
- a statement of up to 300 words explaining why you are applying and what difference an award would make to you
- how a bursary will assist your academic studies
- your circumstances
- how much you will be receiving as the maintenance element of your student loan
- a reference from your Leaving Care Worker
What sort of reference do I need?
We ask that you provide a reference from your Leaving Care Worker or Social Worker. You’ll need to speak with your referee first and tell them why you need their help and which bursary you are applying for. You then need to give them the link to this reference request form.
At the end of the bursary application form we ask you to confirm whether you have done this or not.
If you do not currently have a Leaving Care Worker or Social Worker, please contact us by emailing info@somersetcf.org.uk or calling 01749 344949 and we will think about other options for you. Please let us know which bursary you are applying to when you contact us.
What do we do with your application?
When you submit your online application, you will receive an automated email confirming it has been received. If you don’t receive this email, then please contact us so that we can check your application has been received.
A member of our Grants Team will look at your application. If we have a question, then we’ll email you. If preferred, we can arrange a phone call or video call.
Your application will be considered by a Panel who will make the final decision on who receives a bursary. We will let you know the outcome of your application in early August.
If you have any questions, then please get in touch with us. It’s usually best to email us on info@somersetcf.org.uk but you can also call us on 01749 344949.
When this programme is open to applications a link to the application form will appear here.
Other sources of support
For general information please visit Propel, a website from The Who Cares? Trust created to help inspire more care-experienced young people into higher education.
Other support can be found below:
Eagle House Trust Background
Eagle House was designed and built in 1740 by the architect for Georgian Bath, John Wood the Younger. A family home until 1942, the house then provided housing and education for local young people from disadvantaged backgrounds until it was sold in 1982 by Somerset County Council. The Eagle House Trust was established with the proceeds of the sale and has been managed by Somerset Community Foundation since 2011.
Today the Trust offers financial assistance to children and young people in Somerset and historic Avon (i.e. Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire) who have been looked after in foster/residential care or have received considerable support from Children’s Social Care at some point in their lives.