UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Finance
Estranged students are eligible for Leeds Financial Support (cash bursary, or discount on fees or university accommodation). They are a target group for scholarships (currently up to £2000 a year for three years) and are actively encouraged to apply, receiving weighted scores in the selection criteria. They can also apply to the Access to Learning Fund, which is being reviewed to ensure all estranged students are eligible to apply for support for the summer vacation.
Accommodation
The University has developed a package of support for students that includes: a guaranteed place in University-owned accommodation, the offer of 365-day accommodation, and a waiver of the upfront security deposit for University-owned accommodation.
Mental Health
The Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service have extensive experience of the issues and difficulties that students can face while studying. Students can complete an online self-referral form available 24 hours a day to make an appointment, as well as access a range of workshops and self-help resources. The University also runs activities for students staying in Leeds over Christmas and outside of term time, including estranged students. The Leeds University Union are facilitating the development of a student-led support network for estranged students.
Outreach
Estrangement is a criterion for eligibility to the Access to Leeds scheme. Outreach resources are being reviewed to recognise the circumstances of estranged young people and communicate the support available to potential students and their teachers. During their course, estranged students are eligible for the Plus Programme, which provides ongoing support via academic workshops, skills development opportunities, peer mentoring, social activities and assistance with accessing support services. A dedicated webpage is being developed to communicate the range of support available to students, while briefings and internal media will aim to improve staff awareness.
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