Graduation bursary for care experienced students
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THE University of the Highlands and Islands has introduced a bursary to support care experienced students to participate in graduation ceremonies.
The bursary, available from this summer, will provide assistance for costs such as gown hire, photography, travel and accommodation.
Research suggests that those who spent time in care as a child often experience financial difficulties during their studies as they are unable to rely on additional support from family.
The university’s new initiative aims to address the barriers they may face in celebrating their success with their peers.
Alan Simpson, president of the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association, said: “It is important that all students have the same chances and opportunities and this a step towards that.
"Graduation should not be something that any student has to worry about paying for and it’s great that the university has recognised this."
UHI is one of the first universities in Scotland to introduce such a bursary, which complements its commitment as a corporate parenting body to uphold the rights and safeguard the wellbeing of a looked after children or care leaver.
Over 600 students who enrolled on further or higher education programmes across the university partnership reported themselves as care experienced in the 2017 to 2018 academic year.
