Visit Us Travel Bursary

Chester train station sign in focus with chester landmark signposts, blurred in the forefront

As part of the University of Chester’s commitment to widening participation to Higher Education (HE), we are offering a travel bursary to support individuals who have specific characteristics typically underrepresented in HE.

The bursary is to cover travel costs for up to 2 people, totalling up to a maximum of £100, for attending any of our undergraduate or postgraduate Open Days, Visit Days, Information Events, Applicant Days, campus tours or Outreach events held at our University campuses. 

Are you eligible?

Individuals can apply for the travel bursary if they are attending one of the following events:

  • Undergraduate or postgraduate physical Open Day, Visit Day, Applicant Day or Interview Day at either our Chester, Warrington or Birkenhead sites
  • Undergraduate or postgraduate physical campus tour 
  • Physical Outreach event 

Eligible individuals must be interested in a full-time or part-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme at one of our campuses and meet at least one of the criteria outlined below in order to apply:

  • Be eligible for free school meals or pupil premium (not applicable for postgraduate courses)
  • Looked after Children / have been in local authority care
  • Carer
  • In receipt of benefits, such as Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Tax Credits or Universal Credit
  • Have a declared disability and are in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • Estranged student

*All evidence must be dated within the last twelve months.

This fund is for UK residents only. All awards are made on a discretionary basis and are subject to funding. Each case will be assessed individually.

You will need to complete the Travel Bursary Claim Form.

Please note that the Travel Bursary is subject to the availability of the allocated budget.

If you have any queries about the scheme, please contact visitus@chester.ac.uk.

If you aren't eligible for the Travel Bursary, you could claim between £10 and £30 travel expenses depending on the distance you are travelling (not means-tested) to one of our applicant days.

FAQs

  • First, check that you are eligible to claim. 
  • If you are, you will need to complete the Travel Bursary Claim Form.
  • At the event, you will need to bring the form, travel receipts and supporting evidence to a specific meeting point on the day. You will be informed where to meet nearer to the time.
  • Alternatively, you can email these completed forms and scanned copies of travel receipts to visitus@chester.ac.uk. This must be done within 14 days after your visit. 

This depends on how you meet the eligibility criteria:

  • If you receive free school meals/ pupil premium, you will need to get your school to complete and sign the last section of this form.
  • If you are a Looked After Child, you will need to provide a letter from your social worker.
  • If you are in receipt of benefits, such as Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Tax Credits or Universal Credit, you will need to provide a letter that details proof of your entitlement.
  • If you have a declared disability and are in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you will need to provide a letter that details proof of your entitlement.
  • If you are a carer, you will need to provide a letter from your GP detailing your caring responsibilities, proof of any Carer Benefits that you receive, or a letter from an established Carer’s organisation.

**Please note, all evidence must be dated within the last twelve months.

Normally, staff available on the day may be able to photocopy travel receipts, so that you can keep the original ticket for your return trip home. Alternatively, or if no staff are available on the day, you can email your Travel Bursary Claim Form and scanned copies of your receipts to visitus@chester.ac.uk within 14 days of the event.

You will need to work out how far the trip is in mileage. Only one claim per vehicle can be made. NB: Petrol/diesel costs can be claimed at 36 pence per mile up to a maximum of £100 per vehicle.

Yes, you can claim within 14 days of the event date by electronically submitting your form and scanned copies of your receipts to visitus@chester.ac.uk. We are unable to consider any claims or documents submitted after 14 days of the event date.

No. Food and drink costs cannot be claimed.

If the application is successful, payment for a return journey to one of our University of Chester campuses will be offered. All payments will be made by electronic bank transfer after the event has been attended. All claims (originals or electronically submitted) must be received by the 17th of the month in order to be included in the next month’s payment run.

We are currently offering the Visit Us Travel Bursary to eligible individuals attending one of the following events:

  • Undergraduate physical Open Day  
  • Undergraduate physical campus tour

It is possible to claim for the Visit Us Travel Bursary more than once should you choose to attend more than one of the specified events.