This bursary is offered as part of our commitment to accessibility and widening participation for higher education and to support students without family support.
If you're a new or continuing undergraduate or postgraduate student who has been verified as an estranged student by Student Finance England (or another UK government funding provider), you could be eligible for a bursary of up to £1,500.
To be eligible for the Estranged Bursary, students must
- Be verified as estranged by Student Finance England (or another UK government funding provider).
- Be assessed as paying Home fees and be self-funded (students receiving Student Finance loans are still considered self-funded).
- Be under 25 years old at the start of the 2026-27 academic year.
- Be registered on a full-time or substantial part-time undergraduate or postgraduate course at the University of Essex in 2026-27.
- Have applied for and been approved for Student Finance (or another UK government funding provider) and consented to data sharing.
- Undergraduate students must have undergone a means-tested assessment for funding.
Applications for the Estranged Bursary are expected to open in November, and eligible students will be able to apply once the application process opens. Payment of the bursary will be made in two instalments, by the end of January and the end of April. Students awarded the bursary after the January payment date will normally receive the full award by the end of April.