Bristol Students begin raising money for legal fund for Sanctuary Scholars

By Maggie Sawant, Students' Union Correspondent

The move comes after two students were forced to crowdfund to appeal against their 'study bans' from the Home Office.

Students from the Bristol University Amnesty International and Student Action for Refugees (STAR) have combined forces with the Students’ Union to launch a major fundraising campaign to support a new Sanctuary Scholar Legal Fund.

The campaign aims to raise £25,000, which Sanctuary Scholars will be able to use in the event that they are forced to defend their right to study at Bristol University in court, as the students do not qualify for legal aid.

Since 2016, Bristol University has provided 37 scholarships to students living in the UK from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds to help them access foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Last year, the Home Office imposed so-called ‘study bans’ on two Sanctuary Scholars, one week before the summer exam season started.

Two Bristol Students Banned from Studying

If the two students had decided to sit their exams despite the ban, this would have been considered a breach of their ‘bail conditions’, which could result in a fine, or criminal proceedings resulting in up to six months’ imprisonment.

The two students were forced to rely on a crowdfunder in order to collect funds to appeal this decision.

One Sanctuary Scholar, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: 'A study ban is one of the most horrifying experiences for anyone who has a desire for education.

'It makes one feel neglected, not wanted, lost of hope and dreams which of course can cause emotional and psychological effects.'

Katie Bales, lecturer in law at the University of Bristol, a trustee of the City of Sanctuary charity and a founding member of the Sanctuary Scholarship Working Group at the University, explained: 'With no access to employment and limited access to welfare benefits, this means that the only means students have in challenging the study bans is either to spend the scholarship money which is provided to pay for rent, books and food, or to raise money via external fund raising.'

In addition to crowdfunding online for the legal fund online, the students will be hosting events to raise money for the fund, including an International Food Fair and a Ballroom Dancing Lesson fundraiser.

Jason Palmer, Bristol SU’s Equality, Liberation and Access Officer said: 'A legal fund will help consolidate the right of our Sanctuary Scholars to study at Bristol.

'It’s essential in ensuring they receive the legal representation they deserve to have an undisrupted university experience - it would help alleviate both the mental and financial burden of legal costs.'

Societies at Bristol SU are also being asked to contribute to the fund on an opt-in basis.

Students from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds who wish to study at Bristol University, a University of Sanctuary, may apply for Sanctuary Scholarships, which were established to lessen the barriers asylum seekers and refugees face when trying to obtain a place at University.

Asylum seekers must pay the same tuition fees as international students, at a cost of up to £38,000 per year, and are not usually eligible for student finance.

The Sanctuary Scholarships waive tuition fees and provide students with a yearly £10,000 bursary towards living costs.

Anyone can support the campaign by making a donation online at bristolsu.org.uk/sanctuaryscholars.

Featured image credit: Student Action for Refugees

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