Many students are worried about managing their money – and if you're in care, or have experience of being in care in the past, this may seem like a particular challenge. But there's lots of help for you.
The good news is, there’s dedicated funding available once you begin studying – usually bursaries, that you don’t have to pay back, unlike your student loans. These can make a huge difference when it comes to your living and study costs, including accommodation.
Also, there are lots of other ways your university or college can help you, whether you’re still applying, or getting ready to graduate.
To be eligible for the fee waiver, you will be a care leaver – someone who has been in the care of the Local Authority for a period of 13 weeks or more spanning your 16th birthday. If you are applying from England, Wales or Norther Ireland the fee waiver can be applied up until your 25th birthday, or your 26th birthday if you’re applying from Scotland.
Everyone can apply for student finance to cover tuition fees and maintenance in higher education – this is slightly different depending on where you live in the UK, so check the guides below for full details.
If you’ve been in care but are now living with your parents until you go to university or college, you will be treated as a care leaver for funding purposes, if your care continues under the local authority while you live with your parents.
You’ll have to state you’re living with your parents on your student finance application – unfortunately the Student Finance England portal does not currently automatically recognise you as a care leaver. Until the portal has been updated, you’ll need to upload a letter to make sure your application is assessed correctly, as a care leaver.
Please use the below wording for your letter and upload it when you submit your student finance application. This will ensure your application is assessed as a care leaver:
To the Independent Team
I’m applying for independent status as I’m a care leaver.
Please could you advise what evidence I need to provide?
My Customer Reference Number: (11-digit number allotted once you apply for funding)
Name:
Date:
Signature: (if possible)
Generally, you’re considered a ‘care leaver’ for student finance purposes if at any point from the age of 16 to the first day of your first academic year, you have not been under the legal care of your parents; and, for three months or more, you have been in the custody or legal care of, or have been given accommodation by, a local authority (LA).
You can apply for student finance as a care leaver if:
If you've been officially adopted, student finance will use the household income details of your adoptive parent(s) to work out how much you can get.
Student finance cannot grant independent status as a care leaver for students who are under the care of another family member, or who have been living in supported housing (such as the YMCA). These students will need to apply under another reason such as estrangement.
You should submit a letter from the LA or your case worker / social worker confirming that you:
This letter should be signed and dated and be on letter headed paper. You can liaise with your Personal Adviser from your Leaving Care Team, and they will be able to support you with providing your evidence letter.
You may be eligible for further financial help as a care experienced student, such as:
Many universities and colleges offer bursaries for care experienced students that you don’t have to repay, and some offer grants or loans to help you manage any additional expenses (e.g. specialist equipment).
Speak to the university or college, or check the Propel website.
Universities and colleges may offer further financial help, from applying through to graduation.
You could be eligible for more funding than you think.
Explore scholarships, bursaries, and grants matched to your background, achievements, or chosen course, and get support for your study and living costs.
There are a number of organisations offering grants, bursaries and scholarships, including:
If you're an apprentice in England you may be eligible for an apprenticeships care leavers' bursary. If you start your apprenticeship by 31 July 2023 the bursary is £1,000, from 1 August 2023 the bursary will be £3,000.
Visit these websites for lots more information and advice about funding for care experienced students:
If you study an eligible healthcare course, you might qualify for an NHS Students’ Bursary. Funding for undergraduate nursing, midwifery, and allied health professional students varies by country of study – find out more about NHS careers funding.
Finance for estranged students can be a particular challenge – but all applicants can apply for loans to cover tuition fees where applicable (paid directly to the university), and maintenance costs (paid directly into your bank account). And there are also bursaries, grants, or scholarships you might be eligible for to help with the costs of being a student.
Finance is an issue for all students, regardless of age, but it can be particularly difficult for mature students, who are often faced with a range of competing commitments. It's worth spending some time planning your finances for the duration of your study, so you know what to expect when you start. Find out all you need to know about student finance for mature students.
