Support for Care Leavers and estranged students

Accommodation

Staff in Student Support offer advice and guidance in searching for and securing private accommodation for your first year and/or your remaining years of study. 

Whether you move into University accommodation or the private rented sector, you will be asked for a guarantor (someone who guarantees to pay your rent if you fail to pay it on time). This can often be a source of worry and we can talk to you about the options for dealing with this.

If you would like to get in touch please email support@norwichuni.ac.uk

Financial support

Completion requirements

We understand that managing your finances and navigating student life as a care experienced or estranged student can be more complicated and we are here to help and support you. Get information and guidance about completion requirements and get in touch if we can help you in any way.

Care experienced students under the age of 25 may be eligible for a higher education bursary of £2,000 from their Local Authority, in accordance with their pathway plan.

Student Finance

Care experienced and formally estranged status students should be eligible for maximum financial support from Student Finance. Please ensure that you provide the correct evidence in order that your application is assessed correctly.

Stand Alone has lots of really useful information and guidance.

If Student Finance agree that you are care experienced or estranged from your parents, they will treat you as an independent student and will not take parental income into account when assessing your loan entitlement.

Please note that students aged 25 or over are automatically treated as independent students for the purpose of student finance.

Applications for independent student status are assessed on a case-by-case basis and there isn’t one rule for everybody, therefore if you are unsure about your eligibility it is always best to discuss your individual circumstances with Student Finance.

While studying, you may find you have less money to live on than you are used to. The government maintenance loan that you will receive is not designed to be a student’s only source of income, and many students choose to work part-time in order to supplement their maintenance loan. Staff in Student Support are on hand to speak to about the various options available to you and we can provide help and support with working out a budget.

Bursaries

For new UK entrants whose household income is assessed by Student Finance as £25,000 or less, the University will offer a contribution towards the costs of studying (such as equipment, materials and other course-related costs). For 4 year courses this will be £500 for Year 0, £200 in Year 1, rising to £300 in Year 2, followed by £200 in Year 3. For 3 year courses this will be £500 for Year 1, £300 in Year 2, followed by £200 in Year 3.

In addition to the bursary above, the university will offer £1,000 per year to UK entrants, aged under 25 at the start of their course of studies, who are care experienced or formally estranged from their parents. We use the legal definition of care leaver – a person who, from the age of 14, has spent a minimum of 13 weeks in care, some of which was at the age of 16 or 17 and will use evidence from the students funding body (e.g. Student Finance England) in order to process this bursary. This bursary will continue throughout a student’s degree course even if they exceed the age of 24 during this period.

When are bursaries paid?

Please note that for 2025/26 onwards, bursary awards will be paid in the January after enrolment. You do not have to apply for a bursary. You will automatically be assessed based on the information provided in your application for funding to Student Finance. However, you may be asked to provide confirmation of your independent status which is generally available to you on your student finance account. You should give your permission for your details to be shared with the university to enable us to assess your eligibility for a bursary.

If a student repeats a year of study, the bursary will not be paid for the repeat year (if paid in the previous year).

Additional financial support

• Financial Support Fund Care experienced students and those estranged from their parents are considered a priority group and are encouraged to apply to the university Financial Support Fund during their studies, which makes non-repayable awards to students in need. Learn more about the Financial Support Fund.
• Emergency Loan Scheme The university has an Emergency Loan scheme, which is designed to assist students who find themselves with a temporary cash flow problem caused by circumstances beyond their control, such as a delay with student finance. Learn more about the Emergency Loan Scheme.

Wellbeing Support

Starting university often offers a first taste of independence and, whatever your background, becoming a student can raise many questions. Student Support offers a wide range of information, advice, guidance and pastoral support to any student who wishes to make the most of the opportunities available to them whilst at university or who is experiencing difficulties. 

Student Support staff are available to speak to on a confidential appointment basis or during our drop-in times to discuss issues around student finance, accommodation, student mental health and wellbeing, and disability or health issues.  You can contact us via support@norwichuni.ac.uk or visit us during a drop in.

Disability support

We provide a friendly and sensitive environment to assist students with physical and/or sensory disabilities, learning differences, medical conditions and mental health issues. It is important that you make us aware of any disability, medical condition or learning difference as early as possible, in order that we can discuss possible support needs. If you would like further information about the process of applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) or would like to talk to the Disability Support Advisor please contact us via support@norwichuni.ac.uk.

Counselling

Please see the counselling page for further info.

Chaplaincy

Current students can visit exploring religion, spirituality & chaplaincy services for further information.

NUA Students’ Union (SU)

The NUA Students’ Union is an independent, democratic organisation that exists to represent the interests of students and is the recognised voice of the student body. University can be a particularly challenging time for many students and your Union is there to give impartial advice and support. The Union has an open door policy so any student can pop in for an informal chat. As well as this, the Union funds and supports Clubs and Societies and runs regular events and activities for all students to get involved in. For further information, visit the Norwich Student’s Union website

Careers Team

The Careers team are here to support students as they start to plan their future after University.  As well as helping with creative job vacancies and opportunities, writing effective CVs and cover letters, finding work experience placements, internships, volunteering and networking. It’s never too early, or too late, to start thinking about your plans and you can get in touch at careers@norwichuni.ac.uk.  It is usual for students to need to work part-time in order to supplement their student finance entitlement. The Careers Team can also help with your search for local part-time employment.

Our definitions of a care experienced/ estranged student

We use the legal definition of care leaver – a person who, from the age of 14, has spent a minimum of 13 weeks in care, some of which was at the age of 16 or 17. 

Evidence such as a letter from a social worker or support worker confirming your situation would be required.

We use Student Finance England’s definition of estranged students – a person who has usually not had written or verbal contact with either of their parents for a significant period of time. Their estrangement must be permanent and irreconcilable.