Graduation Support Fund

We understand that some students may be unable to attend their graduation ceremony if they cannot meet the cost of tickets for their guests and/or gown hire. Students who are facing financial hardship have the opportunity to submit an application to receive up to two guest tickets and gown hire free of charge from the Graduation Support Fund (for their ceremony day).

There is a limited number of Graduation Support Funds available and these will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, if all application criteria are met. This fund is for UK undergraduates or postgraduates only.

If you are not eligible or apply and are unsuccessful but find yourself in financial difficulty, you may wish to consider applying to the Student Support Fund (via My Kingston). For details about this fund, and other financial support available, please visit the Money pages on MyKingston for more information.

Please note

If you are applying to the fund:

  • You must log in to OSIS and book your own ceremony place before you submit your application
  • ...But DO NOT book guest tickets or your gown until you know the outcome of your Support Fund application (guest tickets purchased by applicants will not be refunded, there is plenty of time after the fund closes to be able to buy tickets and book your gown if your application is unsuccessful).

We will not consider your Support Fund application if you don't book your graduate ticket on OSIS.

Application questions

Can I apply?

To be eligible to apply you must meet all of the below criteria:

  1. You must be eligible to graduate in July 2023 and have booked to attend your ceremony on OSIS.
  2. You are a UK undergraduate or UK postgraduate student in receipt of a maintenance loan from Student Finance.
  3. A. For UK undergraduates - your household income is under £25,000 (as assessed by Student Finance England)
    B. For UK postgraduates - you have accessed hardship funding from the University during your studies
  4. You have cleared any fees or charges with Kingston University.

Please note: KU Cares supported students need not apply for the Graduation Support Fund. You will be emailed by the KU Cares team separately about support offered for your graduation ceremony.

When should I apply?

Applications to the Graduation Support Fund will:

  • Open on Tuesday 16 May 2023 at 10.00am (BST)
  • Close  - now extended to Thursday 1 June 2023 at 11.59pm (BST)

Please note: applications may close sooner if all the funds have been allocated. Therefore, you should submit your application as early as possible from the date the scheme opens.

How do I apply?

Please contact the graduations team to enquire about the application process. We will email you a link to submit your application online – but will check that you have booked your place before doing so.

You should ensure you meet the criteria listed above before submitting your application. Funds will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so you should submit your application as early as possible.

Please note

If you are applying to the fund, please note that:

  • You must login to OSIS and book your own ceremony place before you submit your application
  • But DO NOT book guest tickets or your gown until you know the outcome of your Support Fund application (guest tickets purchased by applicants will not be refunded, there is plenty of time after the fund closes to be able to buy tickets and book your gown if your application is unsuccessful).

How will I know if my application has been successful?

You will be informed if your application has been successful or not by email with plenty of time before the ticket booking deadline (14 June 2023), to give you time to book if you are not successful.

The decision of the Graduation Support Fund is final and is not subject to appeal. We have a limited number of funds available and these will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and is dependent on all criteria being met.

Need further support?

Please read our frequently asked questions before contacting the graduation team. If you have queries that have not been answered in the FAQs, please get in touch.

Contact the graduation team

Alumni

Alumni

Graduation ceremonies