The Open University’s Carers Scholarship Fund is the very first of its kind in the UK. They have already provided the equivalent of 50 full Open University scholarships to carers so that they get the chance to study, develop their sense of identity outside of caring and retrain towards seeking new employment. They are aiming to make a further 10 scholarships available in the 2021/2022 academic year.
A scholarship covers Open University undergraduate credit-bearing modules and qualifications, paying for the full tuition cost of your qualification, up to 120 credits each seasonal academic year and 360 credits in total.
Applications close at midnight on 21 August 2021.
To be eligible, you’ll need to meet all the following criteria:
- start Open University study for the first time in the 2021/2022 academic year
- ordinarily resident in the UK and eligible for a UK fee
- be a carer who cares for an average of 15 hours a week, or have been a carer in the last 2 years, who cared for an average of 15 hours a week, but, due to bereavement, are no longer a carer
- able to provide proof of your current, or recently ended, caring responsibilities
- have a gross household income of no more than £25,000 a year, or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit
- study a minimum of 30 credits a year.
What supporting evidence do you need?
You’ll need to provide evidence that you’ve been providing unpaid care to one or more people. This could be a letter from your current GP, social worker or carer support organisation (such as Caring Together).
You’ll also need to provide evidence of your household income or qualifying benefit.
How to apply to the Carers Scholarships Fund
Full details on how to apply and the application form are available by clicking here.
This includes details on how you can contact one of the Open University’s advisers who are on hand to answer any questions you might have about the Carers’ Scholarships Fund, and to help you complete your application, if you need it.
