Higher education financial support

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

Higher education bursary

If you are a care leaver in higher education, you may be entitled to a higher education bursary of £2,000. There are no restrictions on what this bursary can be used for. We will pay this if your course lasts for at least two academic years.

How you will be paid

You will need to agree with your worker or adviser the best way to pay you this bursary. There are different rules if it's paid as a lump sum or in instalments.

We may ask you to pay some or all the bursary back if you drop out of university or Open University. 

Student loans

Tuition Fee Loans

We will not pay university tuition fees for care leavers if you want to go to university.

You will need to check your eligibility and apply to Student Finance England to get a Tuition Fee Loan.  

Maintenance Loans

You will also need a Maintenance Loan to pay for your living expenses. Care leavers are entitled to claim the maximum amount for a maintenance loan.

Living expenses include:

• Food
• Household bills, such as gas and electric
• Travel expenses
• Internet access

If you want to do post graduate study you will need to apply for a Master's Loan or Doctoral Loan.

These student loans will need to be repaid after your degree course has ended and once you are earning more than a figure set by the Government.

When you should apply  

You should apply for these loans as soon as you start the university UCAS process. Your worker or carer will be able to support you with the application. 

Visit GOV.UK. to check student finance eligibility and apply

Open University financial support

Open University courses are normally paid for by a Part-time Tuition Fees Loan from Student Finance. 

How you might pay for Open University fees

We will not pay for your accommodation costs while you are studying for an Open University degree.

If you are claiming benefits these might be affected. Check with your work coach before you apply for funding or enrol on an Open University course.

Higher education accommodation

We might be able to help with the cost of accommodation if you are at university.

Visit our webpages on high education accommodation.

Extra money to pay for university

You may be able to get additional financial support for university if you are a parent, have a disability or meet other criteria.

University bursaries and grants

Many universities will have additional bursaries and grants available for care leavers to support them in their studies.

Check university websites or ask your life beyond care personal adviser for further information.

Make sure you get help from your university or college, worker, or carer to claim everything you are entitled to.

This additional financial support does not need to be repaid. 

Visit GOV.UK to see if you can get extra financial support

Study materials and training equipment

Help is available for care leavers until you turn 25, however it is not compulsory for us to pay for these costs.

If you will struggle to pay for study or training equipment for a course, for example, catering knives, work boots or books, tell your life beyond care worker. We might be able to help you. 

You can also try and get charity funding. There are several charitable organisations for care leavers.