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Sanctuary Support Fund

  

The Sanctuary Support Fund has been set up by Bristol SU to support University of Bristol Sanctuary Scholars and other University of Bristol students who are facing deportation or other hostile environment for their migration status.

The Sanctuary Support Fund is previously known as "Sanctuary Scholar Legal Aid Fund"

Donate Here

You can donate to it via our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bristolsu-sanctuarysupport.

 

Current Status of Fund

Unfortunately, the Sanctuary Support Fund is not currently accepting new applications as all available funding has been allocated.
We are actively seeking new fundraising opportunities to replenish the fund. If you would like to be considered for future support, please complete the application form. We will contact applicants should additional funding become available.

 

Who are Sanctuary Scholars and why do they need this money?

The University of Bristol's Sanctuary Scholarship supports asylum-seeking and refugee students to access higher education. You can find out more about the scholarship on the University of Bristol website:

The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a living-cost stipend. However, many students face additional financial challenges that are not covered by the scholarship, including legal representation, visa applications, asylum claim appeals, and other immigration-related costs.

Immigration legal fees can exceed £3,000 per case, placing significant financial pressure on students who are already navigating complex and often stressful circumstances.

The Sanctuary Support Fund exists to help bridge this gap. It provides financial assistance to Sanctuary Scholars facing unexpected or unavoidable immigration-related expenses, helping them remain focused on their studies during difficult periods.

As immigration policies and regulations continue to change, Bristol SU is committed to responding flexibly to the needs of students affected by the UK's increasingly challenging immigration environment. Through this fund, we aim to provide practical support to students facing legal uncertainty, financial hardship, and the risk of disruption to their education.

How can I help?

How can I apply for support?

Unfortunately, the Sanctuary Support Fund is not currently accepting new applications as all available funding has been allocated.
We are actively seeking new fundraising opportunities to replenish the fund. If you would like to be considered for future support, please complete the application form. We will contact applicants should additional funding become available.

If you are a University of Bristol Sanctuary Scholar or University of Bristol student who is facing deportation or other hostile environments for your migration status and would like to apply for support, please complete the application form by following this link: Link to Sanctuary Support Application Form.

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide details of the costs you are claiming for, along with any relevant invoices, receipts, or supporting documents.

Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a panel comprising Bristol SU Full-Time Officers and Student Trustees. We aim to process applications as quickly as possible while ensuring each claim is assessed fairly and confidentially.
 

Further Advice and Support

You may also find the following organisations helpful for immigration and legal advice:

For support related to your Sanctuary Scholarship or your student experience, please email the University of Bristol at: uob-sanctuary-support@bristol.ac.uk .

If you have any questions about the Sanctuary Support Fund or the application process, please get in touch with us at bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk. We're here to help.

 

History of the Sanctuary Support Fund

The Sanctuary Support Fund is rooted in the University of Bristol's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for people seeking sanctuary. In 2019, the University of Bristol was the 12th University in the UK to be awarded University of Sanctuary status, recognising the efforts of students and staff to support refugees and people seeking asylum, and to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. 

The fund itself has always been a student-led initiative and is the result of sustained student leadership and campaigning. In 2020, Bristol SU members passed a motion calling for the creation of a Sanctuary Scholar Legal Aid Fund to support students facing immigration-related legal costs. The following year, students raised more than £8,000 to help establish the fund and provide practical support for Sanctuary Scholars.

Student commitment to this work has remained strong. The policy was renewed in 2023 and again in 2026, ensuring continued support for students from sanctuary and forced migration backgrounds. In 2025/26, Bristol SU also secured a commitment from the University through the UEB Agreement to further strengthen support for Sanctuary Scholars.

As the needs of students have evolved, so has the fund. Formerly known as the Sanctuary Scholar Legal Aid Fund, in 2026 it was renamed the Sanctuary Support Fund to reflect the wider range of financial challenges students may face, including visa application fees and other immigration-related costs, alongside legal expenses.

Looking ahead, Bristol SU will continue to work in partnership with student groups, including STAR (Student Action for Refugees) and Amnesty International, to ensure the experiences and needs of Sanctuary Scholars remain at the heart of this work. Together, we are committed to empowering student leaders and creating a more supportive and inclusive university community for all.



Who's Who?

Many groups and organisations are involved in this. We have listed some of them here:

  • Bristol SU
    This Sanctuary Support Fund is administrated and held with Bristol SU. Our Finance team and our Student Group Services team look after the Just Giving page and manage the request from Sanctuary Scholars. The International Student Officer sit on Sanctuary Scholar Working Group, a committee at the University, to support the collaborative work between SU, student groups and the university. 
     
  • University of Bristol
    Their philanthropy team fundraise to provide the scholarship, whereas their student inclusion team support our current Sanctuary Scholars.
     
  • Universities of Sanctuary
    A national network of university staff, lecturers, academics and students. You can find out more about them here: https://universities.cityofsanctuary.org/
     
  • STAR (Student Action for Refugees)
    A national network of students building a more understanding and just society where refugees are welcomed and can thrive in the UK. Their Bristol branch (Bristol STAR) is an affiliated society at Bristol SU and you can find their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/starbristol/.

    On top of fundraising, Bristol STAR also runs programs like Buddy-Scholar, Community Information Events and Sanctuary Scholarship Open Day. The Sanctuary Scholar rep at Bristol STAR also sit on Sanctuary Scholar Working Group. You can see their 24/25 Impact Report by clicking here: link to STAR 24/25 impact report.
     
  • Amnesty International
    The world's largest grass-roots human rights group, running campaigns across the globe to ensure every person's human rights are upheld.

    Their University of Bristol branch is a student society affiliated with Bristol SU, and you can find their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bristoluniamnesty/.
    They have put on a series of fundraising programmes to raise money directly for the Sanctuary Support Fund.
     

Get in Contact

If you have a question that is not answered on this page, or would like to reach out, please email us: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk 

 

Thank You!