University tuition fees
If bursaries or scholarships aren’t available, we can pay up to £3,000 per year (or a maximum of £9000 over the whole course) towards your university tuition fees, with the rest coming from a student loan. We will support you to apply for the relevant student finance.
You may also be able to get a bursary, which is split into multiple payments over the course or over three years. This is usually paid to you one month before you start the first year of your course. This is to help you to pay for any accommodation fees or other expenses. The rest of the bursary is usually paid to you when you successfully complete your first, second and third year, with proof.
You may also be able to get £25 per week cost of living allowance during term time if you live independently in the community, not in student halls.
University accommodation support:
We will help you apply for any available accommodation funds. During holiday periods, they can provide housing through the staying put service or cover the full cost of suitable accommodation, as required by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000.
This support starts from the first holiday after your course begins in Year one and ends after the final term of your course.
Suitable accommodation means a safe place that meets your needs. The first choice should be staying in university halls. If that's not possible, other options should be explored with your leaving care worker and agreed upon in your pathway plan. If the chosen accommodation is significantly more expensive than other options, you may need to contribute to the cost.
Before making any plans for summer accommodation, you must discuss them with your leaving care worker. They will then seek approval from the corporate parent to fund it. Do not secure summer accommodation without this approval.
Support for accommodation is only offered from the first holiday period following the start of term in year one and cannot be provided after the final term of your course.
Please remember:
- if accommodation is not approved in advance, it won't be funded
- there is a limit on costs; for example, booking an expensive villa in Spain for the summer would not be covered by ourselves. For example: maximum of local housing rate in your university area
- a payment of up to £150 per week can be made to a supported lodgings provider if you return home during holidays
Term-time rent:
You’ll be responsible for paying your own rent during term time using available loans, usually from Student Finance UK. You usually won't be eligible for benefits as a higher education student unless you’re a lone parent or have a disability. If there’s any doubt about eligibility, your leaving care worker can help you to check.
Earnings:
It’s expected that you’ll take part-time work while studying at university. Your student loans, grants, and bursaries won’t be affected by your earnings from work.
Other accommodation rent deposits and rent in advance:
In certain situations, you may be able to use part of your new homes grant for a deposit or seek additional support for private rented accommodation. To access this support, please speak with your leaving care worker, who will obtain authorisation from the children’s services manager and the corporate parent.
Additionally, if you are living in supported accommodation and start working, making the rent unaffordable, the corporate parent may assist by covering the rent gap for a short period. This allows you time to work with your leaving care worker to find more affordable housing.
For any of these options, please discuss your situation with your leaving care worker, who can guide you through the process.