Bradford College’s QUEST Team is a student-friendly service that supports people from the community to access its Higher Education opportunities, regardless of the barriers they may face.  

Amber, a final year student from an estranged background, accessed support from the Team. She shares her experience below:

“I first heard about The QUEST Team shortly after applying to Bradford College. After finishing at Craven College, I was looking to complete my BA in Media Makeup and Special Effects. I was contacted after I applied by The QUEST Team. They explained who they are and what they could offer in terms of support for Estranged Students, and were extremely helpful in answering all of my queries. 

“Once I had enrolled at Bradford College and had my Student Finance in place, The QUEST Team arranged a meeting with me to discuss my circumstances, and to arrange some additional financial support in the form of applying for grants. This was a very simple and stress-free process, which is definitely good when you’re a third year degree student! After filling out the forms and providing the necessary evidence, The QUEST Team very quickly provided a plan explaining when payments would be made throughout the year.”

The QUEST Team looks to support students to complete their courses and ease some of the financial barriers that students can face. Care Leaver and Estranged Students may be entitled to an Accommodation Grant and a Care Leavers Grant. The Bradford College Accommodation Grant is up to £5,500 to support accommodation for each academic year, which may also include extended cover over the holidays. Our Care Leavers grant is an additional £500, to support studies for each academic year.  

“I am receiving the Accommodation Grant as well as the Care Leavers/Estranged Student Grant, which has helped me massively overcome the usual obstacles I have faced as an estranged student. Due to the nature of my course I have even more financial outgoings, such as material costs and service costs when it comes to promoting myself as a trainee when I finish in May. Without these grants I could not do my course and also juggle the financial issues at home.

“The QUEST Team are very friendly and definitely provide a safe space for students like myself, which really helps me get the best out of my studies. I would definitely recommend reaching out if you need help from The QUEST Team. They have definitely made my life easier and I have been able to study without as much financial worry, which has made a huge impact on my day to day life in the past.”