Being Estranged from your Family

From Autumn 2023, applicants can identify themselves as an estranged student by ticking the box on their UCAS application. If you forget to tick the box on your UCAS application or if you are a continuing student, you can email us directly to notify us of your status. Once we are aware of your estrangement, we will be in touch to discuss the support available. 

To confirm your estranged student status and access the support package, you will need to provide the estrangement confirmation letter from your funding provider. If you wish to request that your funding provider assess you as independent due to your estrangement and you would like information on how to do this, please visit our requesting to be assessed for student funding as independent due to estrangement page – this page can be found here.

Identifying yourself as estranged will not negatively affect your application to the University and your status will remain confidential. The University will only use this information to ensure you receive the appropriate support. Your estranged student status will not be passed onto your department. 

University is often a new chapter and we understand that you may want to move on from your past experiences. Letting us know that you are estranged will help us notify you of the support available however, it’s completely your decision whether you chose to access the support or not. If you choose not to, our door is always open if you change your mind.  

To provide you with support, we won’t need to know why you have become estranged from your parents, so we’ll never ask for details.

To qualify for the support package, you need to:

• Be a ‘home’ student, studying full time or part time on taught Undergraduate programme
• Be aged 25 or under when you start the course*
• Be estranged with no foreseen chance of reconciliation and have been recognised as having independent status on the basis of estrangement by your student finance provider for the purposes of receiving student funding at the independent student rate (you will need to provide a financial notification letter that confirms this)
• Have applied for all the statutory funding which you are entitled to.

*Terms and conditions apply

Participation@CampusLife’s Access Officer can help you by:

• Answering any questions you may have about applying to university or studying at Swansea University
• Arranging travel to an Open Day, or arranging a tailored visit if you can’t make one of our Open Days
• Helping you to apply for the Estranged Student Bursary
• Signposting and referring you to a wide range of support services and employability opportunities at Swansea university
• Keeping you updated with news, opportunities and events through our newsletter
• Delivering various events throughout the year specifically for you as an estranged student

Financial Assistance to Attend Interviews and Open Days
Our Access Officer can help organise your visit and arrange to meet you. Travel costs can be reimbursed (this will usually include 2nd class rail travel and other public transport costs).

Accommodation Deposit Advice
When you are offered accommodation, you’ll need to pay a deposit to secure your accommodation. If you are worried about these costs, please get in touch to discuss your options.  

Estranged Students’ Bursary*
The Estranged Student Bursary is available to all eligible ‘home’ students, studying full time and part time on taught undergraduate degree programme. We offer an Estranged Student Bursary of £800 in each year of study to undergraduate students, which is split into 2 payments each academic year. Part-time students will receive a pro-rata payment.

Postgraduate, PhD students and students completing a second degree (including GEM and PGCE) are not eligible to receive all of the additional support or bursary, but may be granted priority access to Money@CampusLife Hardship Funds.

*Terms and conditions apply.  The following figures are accurate to enrolment 2024/25. Please be aware that bursary levels may be subject to change. 

Welcome Pack
We understand that you may not have all the basic necessities needed to move into your new accommodation. If you are worried about the cost of purchasing items such as bedding and kitchen essentials, please get in touch.

Laptop Loan 
If you find yourself without a laptop and need to borrow one while you consider your options to source a new one, we have a small supply of laptops for loan and may be able to help. Please get in touch if you feel you need to loan a laptop.  

Money Management & Budgeting Session
Student Loans are paid in three instalments.  As a student this may be the first time you have had to handle such large amounts of money.  To help you do this successfully, Money@CampusLife are on hand to provide advice and guidance on budgeting.

Priority Access to Hardship Funds
As an estranged student, you have priority access to the Swansea University Opportunity Award. This award is in place to help students who have faced unforeseen financial difficulties. There is no guarantee of an award from the fund, however if granted, it does not have to be repaid.

Year Round University Accommodation
Swansea University can guarantee you 365 days a year accommodation on campus for your first year at University including Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays providing that you apply early enough. Alternatively, we will also help you to find private accommodation in the local area should you need assistance.

Library Support
As an estranged student, you have access to a named contact through the Library Plus team who can provide support services. For more information, please visit the Library Support page.

Discovery SVS and Swansea Employability Academy Support
If you are seeking volunteering opportunities or employability and careers advice, we can support you in making connections with Discovery SVS and Swansea Employability Academy.

Discounted or Free Access to Skills for Life Sessions 
Skills for Life offer a range of workshops to improve life skills including first aid, barista training and navigation. Each workshop has an allocated number of discounted or free places for estranged students. Places are available on a first come first served basis and you’ll have a limited time to book your place.

Access to the Student Ambassador Scheme
As a student, you can apply to become a Student Ambassador. We’ll notify you when applications are open and are happy to help with completing an application and preparing for an interview. We’ll also be able to refer you to the Manager of the Student Ambassador Scheme.

Careers Advice
Prior to completing your studies, we can arrange a careers advice appointment with the Swansea Employability Academy. This service helps students and graduates to make career decisions, gain work experience and find jobs.

Graduation Costs
We understand that graduation is a major milestone in a student journey, but it can be expensive. We don’t want the cost to be barrier to not attending graduation. So, if you are a final year estranged student who is graduating, you can apply for assistance towards your graduation costs via the Swansea University Opportunity Award. There is no guarantee of an award from the fund, and terms and conditions apply.

Free membership to Swansea University’s Alumni Association
As part of the Alumni Association, you can benefit from a wide range of services: get in touch with other former students through the Buddy Board; receive news about the University and fellow alumni via regular e-news bulletins and the annual Sail Magazine.