Care experienced students – help with study-related costs

Care experienced Open University students in Scotland can apply for financial support which is specifically available to help them with study-related costs.

We know that many care experienced students have faced challenges in accessing higher education and in managing their studies alongside everything else going on in their lives. This financial support intends to recognise care experienced students’ achievements and provide some extra support where needed.  

The definition of care experience the OU uses is 'Anyone of any age, who at any stage in their life has been in care. This can be for any length of time and includes a variety of settings, such as in residential children’s home, kinship care, foster care, or through living at home under a supervision order. It also includes adopted children who were previously looked after'. 

There is a Care Experienced Bursary available for general study related costs: 

• A single payment of up to £250 per student. 
• For general study related costs, such as an office chair or desk, or internet access. 
• For OU students across the UK. 
• Students must be actively studying a minimum of 30 credits of Open University undergraduate or postgraduate study during the current academic year for which they are applying for a bursary. 
• More information on the eligibility criteria and the application form is available to students by logging onto the Care Experienced Bursary webpage.