Care experienced students face many life challenges and have low progression rates to HE (Moving On Up report, NNECL 2017). At York St John, we are passionate about addressing inequalities in access to education and we aim to support care leavers and care experienced young people to feel more supported and informed about Higher Education.
Support for Applicants
York St John welcome care experienced students on to all our widening participation programmes including our Summer Schools and our targeted work.
We support care leavers from application right the way through to graduation and beyond.
If you are a care leaver and would like some support with your journey to university – please contact Heather Cooper. H.Cooper2@yorksj.ac.uk
If you are a student with either the York or North Yorkshire Virtual Schools, contact your key worker about our upcoming joint project, On Track. On Track is a brand-new outreach project launching in January 2021. York St John are working alongside FutureHY, The University of York, CU Scarborough, Askham Bryan College and York Cares to provide information, advice and guidance to support care experienced young people and their supporters, to make informed choices about their education progression opportunities.
Support for Students
When students start at our university, we then have dedicated support contacts for care leavers.
All care leavers and estranged students are offered 1 to 1 advice and support throughout your time as a student. Your dedicated contact person in Student Life is Anna. You can contact her by emailing a.deacon@yorksj.ac.uk.
If you were in care within three years of starting your course you are eligible to apply for additional financial support such as our care leaver bursary and Study Abroad scholarship.
Estranged students will be offered help to access additional financial support through our Estranged Student Bursary Scheme, Student Support Fund and Vice Chancellor’s Scholarships. We can help you confirm your estranged status when applying (or re-applying) for student finance. We are also able to offer you advice around issues such as finding a guarantor of paying a deposit when moving into privately rented housing.
Care leavers and estranged students are guaranteed accommodation all year round if you would like it. You will also be prioritised if you apply to return to University accommodation after first year.
Please contact Anna for further information and advice by emailing a.deacon@yorksj.ac.uk. She will be happy to hear from you.