University accommodation

The amount of help you are entitled to depends on your care leaver status. Check your rights on the GOV.UK support for care leavers website. 

If you are an eligible care leaver, we will pay the cost of your accommodation when you are at university. Please note, the amount we pay will be based on the average cost of rented accommodation in your university town or city.

Types of higher education accommodation

You might live:

• In halls of residence
• In rented accommodation on your own or with other students
• With your previous fosters carers under a staying put agreement, if you decide to study locally 

Check university websites to decide which kind of accommodation is right for you. They will explain accommodation options and have contact details for queries.

Paying for your accommodation

We will arrange to pay your rent directly to the landlord or property owner before your course begins. 

Term-time only accommodation

If you live in term-time only accommodation at university, we will pay for your accommodation costs during the university holidays too.

Accommodation during the university holidays

You will need to agree with your life beyond care worker where you will live during university holidays. This is so we can make arrangements to pay for it. You might stay with your previous carers or in short term accommodation. 

Keeping a tenancy in Norfolk

If you keep a tenancy in Norfolk when you study elsewhere, we might be able to pay your rent if you are eligible. This will be a maximum of £100 per week during term times and university holidays. If your rent is more than this, you will need to pay the difference yourself.

Where you will live after university

During your final year at university, your life beyond care worker will discuss where you plan to live when you finish studying. You might stay where you have been living, return to Norfolk or move somewhere else.

If you have been staying put with your previous carers, this will end when your course finishes. If you have your own tenancy, you will return to it permanently.

If you do not have a permanent address, your life beyond care worker will support you to find and apply for your own tenancy. They will do this well before the end of your final term. You might have to meet your worker to establish gold banding, which means your have priority for housing. They can also provide written evidence of your leaving care status. You will need this evidence to support your permanent housing applications. 

Your worker will also ensure you receive any remaining Leaving Care Grant.