Care Leavers

At the University of Cumbria, we want to ensure that all learners who are Young Care Leavers or Estranged from Family who want to, are able to access and succeed at higher education, and that they can participate effectively in all areas of university life.

Are you a Care Leaver?

The University of Cumbria use the Student Finance England (SFE) definition for care leaver.

Generally, you’re a ‘care leaver’ if at any point from the age of 16 to the first day of your first academic year, you have not been under the legal care of your parents; and, for three months or more, you have been in the custody or legal care of, or have been given accommodation by, a local authority (LA).

You can apply for student finance as a care leaver if:

You have not been under the legal care of your parents and for at least three months, you have been in the custody, legal care or have been given accommodation by a LA and the care ended on or after you turned 16 and before the first day of the first academic year of your course.
You must also not have returned to the care of your parents between the age of 16 and the first day of the first academic year. However, you could still qualify as a care leaver if you’ve returned to live with your parents, but are still under the care of the LA. For example, if you have returned to your parental home for a trial period of reunification but are still receiving the same support from the LA, then you can still qualify as a care leaver for student finance purposes.

Read the SFE Care Leaver Guide to find out more.

Are you Estranged from your family?

You could apply for student finance as an estranged student if you are under 25 and:

You haven’t had any contact (either verbal or written) with either of your biological / adoptive parents for 12 months or more, prior to starting your course; or
Your relationship with your parents has broken down within the last 12 months and you don’t expect this to change in the near future.

SFE may be able to consider estranged status for those estranged from their parent’s for less than 12 months, but this would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Read the SFE Estranged Students Guide to find out more.

What Support Can We Offer to Learners Who Are Young Care Leavers Or Estranged From Family?

The University of Cumbria will offer levels of support to any learners who are formally recognised as Young Care Leavers or Estranged from Family.

A dedicated contact within the Student Engagement Team to assist with preparation prior to starting, and throughout your course. Email nadine.baxter-smallwood@cumbria.ac.uk, Student Engagement Manager, in the first instance.
Funded transport to the campus for an Offer Holder Day (currently available to Young Care Leavers only).
Advice and guidance on applying and personal statements, which can be done via telephone.
Initial Student Money meeting (note: students who are Young Care leavers and Estranged from Family who declare their status may have increased priority in being allocated a Cumbria Bursary*).
Accommodation available 365 days a year at Carlisle, Lancaster and Ambleside (must be requested additionally).
Opportunity to apply for paid Student Ambassador work.
Request a celebratory ‘Whoop/Shout Out’ at your Graduation Ceremony.
Exit package upon graduation to include future careers guidance including job hunting, CV updating and interview preparation.

_{* To maximise your chances of being allocated a Cumbria Bursary, you should ensure that you apply for income assessed student finance through your funding body (e.g. Student Finance England). In your application, you must give consent to share your financial information with your Higher Education Institution.}

Funded Transport for Offer Holder Days and Interviews

We are committed to supporting learners who are Young Care Leavers and Estranged from Family holding an offer with us to be able to attend an Offer Holder Day to experience your chosen course and campus in person. We can provide a contribution of up to £50 towards your travel costs, dependent on total mileage travelled to and from the event within the following bands:

30-50 miles: £20
51-100 miles: £30
101-150 miles: £40
151 plus (&NI): £50

This scheme is only applicable to the offer holder; all claims must be made at the time of attending your chosen event and payment will be made directly into the offer holders bank account within 3 weeks of attending your chosen event. To make your claim, contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

The mileage claimed should be from the offer holder’s home address and postcode (this will be checked by the University prior to any claims paid using the address provided on your application).
Mileage travelled will be calculated using the shortest available route and for mileage via road, AA Route planner will be used to calculate distance from home postcode, to campus postcode return journey.
Claims are applicable for applicant dates in 2024/25 academic year

Student Finance and the Cumbria Bursary

Some students find that they would like some advice with the Student Finance application, particularly when it comes to proving independent status that can mean they receive more maintenance loan. If this would be helpful for you, you can contact our Money Advisors at moneyadvice@cumbria.ac.uk, who will be happy to help you with any money related queries you have. You can also meet our Money Advisors in person at an Offer Holder Day.

Please also visit our own Fees and Finance page for information on scholarships and bursaries as well as useful information from our Money Advisers. Care leavers and Estranged Students who declare their status may have increased priority in being allocated a Cumbria Bursary*. Additionally, as a learner who is a Young Care Leaver or Estranged from Family, you will be offered a pre-entry finance meeting to discuss extra funds you may be eligible for, budgeting techniques and any other enquiries or questions you may have.

Additional information for Estranged Students is available from:

Apprenticeships care leavers’ bursary

Health and Wellbeing

The University offers confidential support and advice in a number of ways:

Information on how to access services provided by NHS and Social Services
Support for students with a Disability including some aspects of mental health
Counselling and therapy service
Information for staff and students

Find out more

During the start of your course, you will be introduced to a range of teams from Student Support. They offer 24-hour access to online resources and a huge range of e-resources so that you can find support even when you're off-campus. Face-face support and workshops are also available. You can find out more via the online Student Enquiry Point.

Additional support services are provided for Disabled Students, which includes students with learning difficulties (such as dyslexia).

Schools, Colleges and Community Groups

We work with schools and colleges across Cumbria and Lancashire and are more than happy to come into schools or community groups to offer advice and guidance to young people currently in care, and care leavers thinking about entering HE. We can also attend foster carer training to ensure that foster parents have the knowledge and resources to help foster children when they start to apply for HE places.

Contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk to arrange this.