Common use of Other Fair Access Bursaries Clause in Contracts

Other Fair Access Bursaries. The University will be offering Pre–Entry Bursaries to provide support for applicants from low-income families and others who face additional barriers to HE entry. Variable amounts up to £300 will be made available to cover travel and other costs associated with attendance at UCAS Applicant Visit Days and admissions interviews at Reading, and to provide individual or group mentoring support from current undergraduates during the application process. It is anticipated that some 200 students a year will take advantage of this scheme. The University will be offering Pre-Application and Pre-Entry Bursaries for Disabled Students to provide additional support for disabled applicants so that they may visit the University prior to applying or accepting an offer to ensure their support needs can be fully met and that they are able to prepare for transition to HE. Variable amounts up to £500 will be made available to cover travel and other costs for the applicant and, where appropriate, a carer to visit the University and to provide additional specialist support during the application process as necessary. It is anticipated that 10-15 bursaries will be taken up each year, with some students being able to benefit from more than one visit if appropriate. The University will be expanding its existing Vice-Chancellor’s Bursary Scheme aimed at students nominated by Berkshire state schools participating in the Aim Higher scheme. As these students all meet widening participation criteria, the scheme is included in its entirety as bursary investment for the purpose of this Access Agreement. The current figure of one new student pa will be expanded to three; the bursary will be worth £1,000 in a student's first year and £500 for each year of undergraduate study. The University’s Alumni and Development Annual Fund, established in November 2004, has identified the support of the Fair Access Bursaries and existing Hardship funds as one of its goals in support of the aims of the Access Agreement. A small number of existing bursaries and prizes, some linked to specific subject- areas or academic attainment, will be reviewed in line with the University’s Fair Access policy and included in the information on financial support made available to students. Students will be allowed to aggregate up to two bursaries during each year of their degree programme (ie in addition to pre-entry bursaries) and, should any be eligible for more than two, to select the most advantageous for their situation. NATURE AND COST OF OUTREACH ACTIVITIES FROM ADDITIONAL FEE INCOME AND OTHER SOURCES; INCLUDING DESCRIPTION AND ESTIMATED NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES, AND TARGET GROUPS The University is planning a year-on-year expansion of outreach activities in line with the University Widening Participation Strategy. Current expenditure (2004/5) on these activities is £204k. The proposed additional funding will be in the region of £260k in the first year, rising to £351k by 2010, including additional staffing.