Care leavers and young people estranged from their families could receive free accommodation whilst they study with Brunel, thanks to the launch of this year’s Unite Foundation scholarship.
Open to anyone aged 25 or under that is leaving care or estranged from their family, the scholarship aims to give recipients piece of mind that their accommodation is paid for the duration of their studies.
Scholars will be entitled to three separate years of free accommodation at a Unite Students property within easy reach of Brunel University London, with the package including a single furnished en-suite bedroom in a purpose-built flat, a fitted communal kitchen, all household bills (including Wi-Fi) and access to on-site support teams.
Flats are shared with other students, where possible from the same university, and often come with additional facilities such as laundry, fortnightly cleaning and bike storage.
Brunel provides support to care leavers and estranged students throughout the whole process, encouraging students to engage and aim high. Care leavers may also be eligible for a Brunel Care Leaver Bursary, subject to conditions.
The closing date for applications is 12pm on 11 June, with applications to be sent to karen.western@brunel.ac.uk .
Professor Bill Leahy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Brunel, said: “Unite’s generous scholarship gives those without a traditional support network much-needed financial security for the three years they’ll spend with us.
“Spending time in care or being estranged from your family shouldn’t be a barrier to receiving an excellent education, and it’s with great pride that Brunel are able to offer this helping hand to those who need it.”
The Unite Foundation was established in 2012 by Unite Students, a developer of affordable student properties that manages 27 sites across London.
Since its launch the scheme has helped over 250 students take up places at 28 universities across the UK, with 44 having now graduated.
To check eligibility and to download an application form, applicants should visit www.unitefoundation.co.uk/get-a-scholarship/
For further information please contact Karen Western, Widening Participation Co-ordinator, Karen.western@brunel.ac.uk
Reported by:
Tim Pilgrim,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268965
Tim.Pilgrim@brunel.ac.uk