Young people in education
16 and 17-year-olds
Personal Allowance:
If you’re eligible or relevant, you’ll receive a living allowance of £60 per week if you are living independently, in supported lodgings, or other accommodation. This is to help you to pay for your basic expenses like food, clothing and daily needs.
- if you are eligible, this means you spent any time in care after your 16th birthday
- if you are relevant this means you were in care for at least 13 weeks, including your 16th birthday
Rent:
If you’re 16 or 17 and need to pay rent, we will cover it because you can't claim benefits until you turn 18. The amount of rent they pay depends on your accommodation and support needs. For specific needs, they might help with housing costs even after you turn 18.
Financial help for education:
The 16 to 19 bursary fund helps you to buy core equipment and pay for travel costs to and from college. Care leavers can also get a bursary of up to £1,200 if you’re under 19 at the start of your course and meet the below criteria.
- you must have the legal right to live in the UK at the start of your program
- if you are ARE, you usually can't get funding until the Home Office resolves your situation. Funding is only for learners who can complete their programs
- you must have lived in the UK for the three years before the start of the academic year of your course
- you must be settled in the UK, meaning you have either indefinite leave to remain, or the right of abode in the UK
18 to 21-year-olds
Further education courses (non-advanced):
These are any courses that lead to qualifications below a degree, like GCSEs, A-levels, NVQs, and BTEC National Diplomas.
If you stay in further education (non-advanced) and don’t live with your parents, you can usually claim universal credit from the age of 18 until you are 21 or until you finish your course.
Please explore the department for work and pension’s website for more information.