Higher education
We work closely with local universities to support care leavers at university and provide opportunities for care leavers to experience university life.
Financial support
You are responsible for paying for university fees and securing your income from work and/or a student loan while you are at university in the same way as any other young person at university has to. However, we provide you with additional assistance for expenses linked with employment, education and training. In particular:
The university bursary is funded by Lancashire Virtual School and paid over 3 academic years. The total value of the bursary is £3000 which is paid in 3 instalments of £1000. This is a one off bursary.
The university bursary will not be available for students on higher-level apprenticeships. This is due to the funding rules around the new £3000 Apprenticeship Bursary from the DfE.
We provide you with up to 22 weeks of funding for accommodation during university holidays.
The level of rent will either be at your current student accommodation rate, the Local Housing Allowance or a percentage of this if you share rent costs with others.
We will also support you to find accommodation during university holidays, if you cannot stay where you live during term time.
On completion of your degree you will receive a one off payment. This is only available to young people that started their degree 2014 onwards.
You will receive the Higher Education Bursary above from Lancashire Virtual School and a bursary from your university. This is for any equipment you may need for university.
Any further support will be based on assessed need as outlined in your pathway plan. Please go to the money section for more details
Other support you can apply for
- University tuition fee and maintenance support from the Government see student finance (external link) for more information
- Unite Foundation (external link) - care leavers can apply for a scholarship to cover all their accommodation costs at some universities.
Support from local universities
The four local universities offer tailored support to care leavers such as:
- a dedicated contact
- one to one advice
- accommodation available 365 days a year
- a bursary or extra funds (if you are eligible)
For more information about the support provided by individual universities visit their websites:
More information and advice
Other organisations that provide information and advice:
- Propel - information on what support is available for care leavers at university
- GOV.uk - Higher education courses: find and apply - information on all aspects of higher education
- UCAS - information on applying for courses
- GOV.uk - student finance - information about student finance
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