Young Carer Award

Level of study

Any Undergraduate

Subject area

Arts and Law, Engineering and Physical Sciences, Life and Environmental Sciences, Medicine and Health, Social Sciences

Nationality

UK

Type of Award

External, University

Deadline for applying

Closed 31/10/2024 (Note: competition closed for this year)

Award Description

The Young Carer Award exists to assist students who are Young Adult Carers in meeting living costs while studying at the University, including additional costs incurred as a result of their caring responsibilities.

These awards were generously established in memory of the late Sarah Hawkins. The Sarah Hawkins Award for Young Carers was the first of its kind to support young carers studying at Birmingham and each year helps these individuals to overcome the challenges they face in pursuing a university education. An additional two awards per year have also been funded in recognition of two sisters, Patricia and Gillian Davies, who attended the University of Birmingham in the years just after the Second World War, while caring for their disabled mother. We are grateful to all our alumni who have contributed to the award since its conception and it is our hope that the recipients of these awards will enjoy new opportunities in their lives during and after their time at university.

Value of Award

The value of each award is £2,000, divided into two equal instalments. The award is renewable each academic year for the duration of the programme, subject to academic progression and continuation of caring responsibilities.

Eligibility Criteria

The University of Birmingham Young Carer Award is open to students who are Young Adult Carers (aged 18-24) with caring responsibilities for an adult friend or relative. You cannot apply for the award if you are caring for a child. 

We take into consideration each applicants household income, number of caring hours, type of caring responsibilities, associated costs and the potential impact on studies or wellbeing. Priority is generally be given to students who are caring at home, rather than living in University halls of residence.

You will be asked to submit a supporting letter from a professional who can comment on your caring responsibilities and how these have impacted. More information is given in the application form.

How to Apply

Please complete the Young Carer Award application form online.

You will be asked to provide details about yourself and your responsibilities as a young carer. There is a section within the form in which you can provide a personal statement, this is your opportunity to let the panel know how being a young carer impacts you and how the funds might make a difference to your student experience. You will also be asked to upload a letter from a professional such as a Key Worker, Social Worker, Teacher or GP who can confirm your status as a young carer.

The Young Carer Award is a selective award. We may not be able to award every applicant, but we will inform you of the result of your application after the panel has convened to make their selection in November. It is expected that successful applicants will be paid the first instalment of the award in late January and the second instalment in late May. 

If you have any questions about the process, please get in touch using the contact details below. 

Contact

Lois Boyle
l.j.boyle@bham.ac.uk