Support for going to university...

• You must have first completed BTEC level 3, Access to Higher Education, or A levels 

• You must be enrolled on a course of higher education, which includes first degree and higher education qualifications that are over 12 hours per week of study, including some distance learning courses. 

• The course must last for at least 2 academic years, or 1 year in the case of the Access to Higher Education course

• You must commence the course of higher education prior to your 25th birthday

• You must be in receipt of Student Finance and have confirmation of your student loan and immigration status for the duration.

Enrolling on a university course is a big step and we want to make sure you'll be successful on your course.  Therefore, when you first request support, we will carry out an assessment taking  your overall circumstances into consideration and then your social worker will formally authorise any higher education course you have chosen in order for you then to access the package of support available for university students. 

The Virtual School will provide you with support in applying for university and Student Finance. If you’re starting university you are eligible for the support detailed below:

• • A social worker or personal advisor to review and update your Pathway Plan and keep in touch with you.  

  • We’ll pay you an education grant of £1100 a term (£3300 per year). This financial support is for vacation accommodation costs and was increased in the summer of 2024 in order to help cover the expenses of any deposits for your accommodation that you may be required to pay.  This financial support is inclusive of the £2000 Higher Education bursary as set out in Leaving Care legislation.

  • The financial support is available for 3 years. If your first designated course is 4 years in duration (eg teacher training), or you are undertaking a Masters programme additional financial support may be agreed in your pathway plan for year 4 to a maximum of £3,300 for the additional year

  • You will be given a grant to purchase a laptop in your first year of study to the maximum value of £400, including software, based on an assessment of need;

  • You will get financial support for travel during term time, up to a Zone 1-6 TfL Travel Card or equivalent, based on assessment of your travel needs.   You'll need to apply for a student Oyster Card if eligible.  

  • The Virtual School will support you in making a budget plan on a yearly basis to help you manage your finances.

If you decide at the end of the first year you are on the wrong course, or you need to repeat a year we will provide an additional year’s funding. You’ll only receive a maximum of 4 years funding in total, on confirmation of your student loan.

In order to receive the package of support for care leavers in Higher Education, you must meet with your Leaving Care practitioner or virtual school advisor at the beginning of each academic year in order to complete an education contract.  

Ongoing payment of the bursary will be assessed as part of your pathway plan, which will include agreement from your Leaving Care practitioner that the course of higher education is a reasonable career pathway that will to employment.  Young people returning to their former foster carers during holiday periods will be expected to contribute towards their rent during that period (see staying put information). 

If you are a qualifying care leaver, and are at university, and need somewhere to stay during vacation periods, you can ask the Leaving Care Service for support to help you find somewhere.

In order to qualify for the package of financial support for care leavers in university, you are expected to have at least 70% attendance and be in good standing with your education or training provider.  You will need to provide evidence from your education or training provider to your social worker at the start of each term or when it’s requested of you.  

If you’re not attending your course in accordance with your pathway plan, we may withhold payment of any bursary and other financial support provided by Hackney, following discussion with the Head of Corporate Parenting.

Where you have been paid but decide not to attend, this is grounds for us to request for monies to be repaid.

There are sources of additional funding that you should make use of for financial support, including seeking part-time employment, student loans and grants and hardship grants.

Some universities offer a care leavers bursary or financial support. Your social worker and Virtual School Advisor can discuss these with you.

We can continue to offer you advice and support, if you need it, up until you are 25, for employment, education or training.

However, when you have completed your university course, if you don’t have paid work, you’ll be expected to claim benefits, unless you are considering going on to a post graduate course.

If you want to go on to complete a postgraduate course, we’ll offer you support and assistance to help identify financial support for you to continue your education and will advise you how to access this. We’re not able to pay your fees or living expenses.