Education and training finance

16 to 19 bursary fund

The government have a bursary scheme for care leavers to access money that can be spent on things to support their education. This is attendance related. You can apply for up to £1,200 to spend on:

  • clothing
  • books
  • materials for your course
  • transport to where you study
  • lunch when you study

To get this bursary you will have to speak to student services at your college. Your personal advisor (PA) can support you with this.

Education and Employment Support Allowance

We can provide up to £500 to support you with education and or employment. This can be spent on things that support you in education or employment, or if you’re trying to access it. It can include things such as:

  • books
  • course materials
  • work clothes
  • equipment for your course

In the first month of you working, we can pay for your transport to and from work as long as the Department of Work and Pensions are not already providing help with this.

Visit GOV.UK To find out if you are eligible and read more about the 16 to 19 bursary fund.

If you are over 19, there are other bursaries that colleges can provide. Discuss this with your PA and your college.

Apprenticeship bursary

If you choose to take an apprenticeship, you will be entitled to a £3000 bursary.

This is paid in instalments over the first year of the apprenticeship.

See GOV.UK to find out more about the apprenticeships bursary.

For information about apprenticeships and how to apply, see our Apprenticeships and volunteering page.

 

University and postgraduate help

Higher Education Bursary

If you’re going to university we will give you £3,000 over the duration of your course.

Most degrees are 3 years, this means you will receive 3 payments of £1,000 each year of your course or you may receive smaller amounts at the beginning of each term.

University accommodation

Whist studying away from home at university we will help you with the cost of accommodation through the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays.

For this, you are entitled to the local housing rate up until you are 25 years of age. Payment is made directly to the landlord's bank account.

UNITE Foundation

The UNITE foundation believe ‘being an estranged young person or care leaver shouldn’t mean being left behind and, through the scholarship, were being united with our futures through going to uni’.

They can offer care leavers scholarships to go to university, having your accommodation and bills paid for over 3 years.

Find out more about the scholarship.

Student finance

Student finance is what you apply for to cover the costs of your time at university. It’s a loan that will cover the costs of:

  • course fees
  • accommodation fees
  • maintenance (living costs)

Read about and apply for student finance.

Graduation allowance

We can pay this once up until you are 25 years old.

The allowance covers your:

  • gown
  • mortar board
  • a photograph
  • a discretionary guest

Your PA will agree this and arranges for payment to you.

Masters degrees

We want to support you to continue your studies. Following an assessment, if needed, we can offer some financial support towards this.

This will be a discretionary payment and will not come with the full entitlements you received in your higher education course. We will consider your circumstances and what you are able to do to support yourself, what your accommodation needs are and any other means of financial support available to you.

For other help, see the Alternative guide to postgraduate funding website.