UCAS fee waiver expansion opens new doors for young people across Oasis

This week, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) announced that from the 2027 university cycle it will expand its application fee waiver to include care leavers across the UK.

This positive step aims to encourage more young people to consider and apply to university or college by removing a barrier that disproportionately affects those without financial or family support.

Care‑experienced young people often face significant challenges when planning their futures. According to the Department for Education, only 13% of care leavers progressed to higher education by age 19 in 2023–24 - compared with 46% of their peers. UCAS’s expanded waiver directly addresses this gap, recognising that even a single fee can be a real obstacle for young people already navigating multiple layers of uncertainty.

This new initiative builds on UCAS’s existing fee waiver for students eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), which supported more than 40,000 applicants planning to begin university or college in autumn 2025. For Oasis, where over a half a of our students are FSM‑eligible, and many have experience of the care system, these measures represent a meaningful step toward widening participation and ensuring that every young person can aspire to higher education.

At Oasis, many students are the first to apply to university and the first to imagine a different future. When financial worries are eased, even slightly, confidence grows. Removing the burden of an application fee reinforces a powerful message: every young person deserves the chance to pursue their ambitions, no matter their circumstances.

Gullu, a Sixth Form student at Oasis Academy Enfield, shared how impactful the FSM fee waiver was during her own application process.

“It eased pressure at a difficult time. The Free School Meal (FSM) waiver really helped me and my family because it meant we didn’t have to find the money for the application just before the holidays. For many students £28.95 is a lot, so this has eased some pressure, even though the cost of living crisis still makes university feel financially daunting.

 “As a young British Turkish woman, I’m determined to study Politics as I know there is a lot of inequality around the world and I want to understand global systems and explore how I can effect real change.”

 For her classmate Sumeyye, the waiver helped clarify a sense of purpose and possibility.

“I want to make a meaningful difference. I’ve always wanted to go to university, and my school has been so supportive with applications and explaining how the fee waiver works. My family have also helped to do whatever they can to help me get there.

 “After visiting the Middle East and seeing the contrast between extreme wealth and deep poverty, I knew I wanted to make a difference, and studying History has given me the context and skills to pursue Politics and International Relations and explore how I can create meaningful change.”

At Oasis Academy Shirley Park, Daniella described how the waiver eased her fears and reinforced her sense of belonging in higher education. “It reminded me people like me are supported. Going to university has always been a constant aspiration of mine. Realising I was eligible for the FSM fee waiver relieved me of some of the anxiety I had about applying — it was one less thing to worry about.

 When I felt discouraged about higher education, the waiver reminded me that people like me are supported to progress and go further than they’ve ever imagined. I’m grateful, because everyone deserves an equal chance to pursue knowledge.”

For staff, this announcement represents more than a policy change, it is another tool to ensure fairness and opportunity for all our young people.

Martin Young, Head of Sixth Form at Oasis Academy Enfield, shared:

“It removes barriers and creates equity. At Oasis Academy Enfield, we’re dedicated to empowering every student to raise their aspirations and expand their horizons. For many of our students, university is a key driver of social mobility, and they may be the first in their families to go.

 “Financial worries are a daily reality, so even something that seems small, like the Free School Meals (FSM) waiver, is significant. It removes barriers, creates equity, and helps our students aim for the best universities.”

Across our Oasis communities, we are incredibly proud of our young people - their resilience, ambition, and commitment to shaping a better world. The expansion of the UCAS fee waiver recognises their potential and ensures those facing the greatest challenges receive the support they need to take their next steps with confidence.

At Oasis, we believe every child is brimming with possibility. This change will help widen access, build self‑belief, and empower students across our family of academies to dream bigger and step boldly into their chosen futures.