Support for Estranged Students
At ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û, we place a high priority on caring for and supporting all our students. We offer a comprehensive student welfare service, as a student who is estranged from their family, you can be assured that ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û will provide you with the necessary support and information. This support is available while you’re still deciding what or where to study, continues through the university application process and is on-going once you’ve started your course.
Definition of Estranged Students
We have signed up to the Stand Alone Pledge to help student identify Universities who support estranged students.
Estranged students are young people studying without the support and approval of a family network. Young people in this position often have no contact at all with their family and have removed themselves from a dysfunctional situation or have been disowned. They may have been in local authority care but do not have the continued support as care leavers.
Stand Alone have put together the following leaflet that will help you understand and identify yourself as an estranged. Click on this link to access the Stand Alone income for Family Estrangement: Advice and information for Adult Children:
Support for Estranged Students
- Pre-entry guidance from our Skills and Employability Service, assistance with filling in your Student Finance application form and help and support during the university application and admissions process.
- Peer guide support for all students to help you settle in during Welcome Week and the first few weeks of term.
- Targeted financial support for Estranged students through the University’s bursary and Hardship Funds. This means ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û will provide you with £1,000 Start Up Bursary in your first academic year and an Estrangement Bursary of £1,000 in subsequence academic years. These bursaries are available on top of any other University or state-funded bursaries which you may be eligible for.
- An integrated Student Services, offering easy access to money support, housing, disability, mental health and student counselling services.
- Regular meetings between the named contact and students to identify support requirements, with liaison between University departments and external agencies where appropriate (and with the student’s express permission).
- Guaranteed accommodation for all single first year undergraduate students and help planning and arranging your accommodation for both term and vacation time.
- Complete confidentiality for Estranged students in respect of service provision and specific arrangements.
How do I qualify for support
To qualify for support as an Estranged Student you must be:
- Under the age of 25 when you start your studies with us at ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û.
- Provide evidence of your estrangement – a letter written by a professional person who is aware of your personal circumstanced and can confirm that you are estranged from your family - such as a School Teacher/Tutor, Social Worker, Police Officer, Doctor, or a healthcare professional.
- Estranged from your family with no foreseeable change of reconciliation. This this sometime referred as irreconcilable estranged for example on student finance websites.
Named Advisers
There are two named contacts for estranged students within the University’s Student Services, and they are the member of staff you should turn to for help and advice at any stage of your journey into and through Higher Education. Huw and Wendy can give you more details on all aspects of the University’s support provision – both prior to admission and whilst studying here.
Contact Huw or Wendy on 01248 383707 / 3637 or e-mail: studentsupport@bangor.ac.uk