Graduation Care Experienced Fund
The University of Essex’s Graduation Gown and Photography provider, Tempest Ltd, is offering a Graduation package to support Care Experienced graduates. The package will cover the cost of gown, hood and cap hire and a Graduation photography package for students who meet the criteria and are eligible to attend a 2025 University of Essex Graduation Ceremony. Please note that this is not a monetary award.
If you apply for this fund, you must still book your place through the Graduation Booking system but please do not pay for advanced Graduation Gown hire while your application is being processed. A Gown will be reserved for you by the Graduation and Awards Team when you submit your application until you receive an outcome.
Due to limited availability, the University of Essex reserves the right to modify or discontinue the fund as needed.
The Graduation Care Experienced Fund will open for Spring Graduation applications on 27 November 2024.
Holiday Closure Notice
The funding office will be closed from 20 December 2024 to 2 January 2025. During this period, no applications will be assessed.
How to apply
The deadline to apply for the Graduation Care Experienced Fund is 7 March 2025 by 5pm.
To apply for the Graduation Care Experienced Fund, you will need to do the following:
- Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria detailed in the terms and conditions below
- Carefully read the terms and conditions
- Visit Blackbullion to access the fund. You will need to register for the Blackbullion online money management website if you do not already have an account using your external email address
- Click the ‘Funds’ tab and select ‘Graduation Care Experienced Fund’ or use the search facility to find the fund
- Follow the instructions to complete the application form, upload the required evidence and submit your application
Note: your application will not be assessed until you submit a full and complete application form which includes all necessary evidence to complete an assessment.
Summer Graduation Care Experienced Fund
Further details regarding the opening of the fund for Summer Graduation applications will be made available by the end of the autumn term.
Full details
Please read the full terms and conditions for your entry year before applying for the fund. They contain important information about eligibility, how you'll receive your award and whether this award can be combined with others or not.
Care Experience Graduation Assistance Fund T&Cs 2024-25 (.pdf)
Other support
The University and other external organisations offer financial support to get you through your studies. Check out other ways of funding your studies:
- The University is offering a Graduation Assistance Fund for students who are experiencing financial difficulty, to contribute to the cost of Graduation.
- If you are in need of urgent financial assistance, you can apply for a Hardship Fund Loan offered by the Students' Union. They also provide advice on financial support (including students at risk of homelessness).
- You might want to check if you’re eligible for a scholarship/bursary or other financial support.
The University offers a range of additional welfare support and guidance.
