Making the leap from care to independent life at university or college can be both scary and exciting. If you want to be a student there is loads of support available for care leavers to make it happen.

Listen to students from different universities, offering advice and insight for younger care-experienced people who are considering their future study options and opportunities.

Are you a care leaver, considering Higher Education? 

LiNCHigher have created a guide specifically for you and covers a wide range of information to guide you through higher education pathways, applying, financial support, accommodation and much more Click here to access the guide.

10 reasons why you should consider Higher Education:

• You’ll be able to live independently and make your own decisions
• You’ll always feel proud of your achievement and get confidence from it
• You’ll find clubs and societies for every interest imaginable
• You’ll have access to more jobs when you qualify
• You’ll fit in. Higher education welcomes all kinds of people from all types of backgrounds
• You can study a subject you're good at and care about
• You’ll have the potential to earn more money**
• You'll have the chance to choose a city or town you'd love to live in
• You’ll meet new people and make lasting friendships
• You'll have access to lots of support to help you get there - and stay there - so why not take advantage of it?

Want to see other inspirational stories? Check these out 

• Daniels Story https://vimeo.com/492525104
• Hannah’s Story https://vimeo.com/492525857
• Bethany’s Story https://vimeo.com/492524194

Or Read these amazing stories 

• Dembo’s Story https://propel.org.uk/stories/dembos-story/
• Zlon’s Story https://propel.org.uk/stories/zions-story/
• Emma’s Story https://propel.org.uk/stories/emmas-story/
• Jimmy’s Story https://propel.org.uk/stories/jimmys-story/

Additional Resources & Support 

Caring2Learn Team Lincolnshire 

Caring2Learn began in 2018 as a research project funded by the Department for Education through the Partners in Practice programme. It is now a major initiative developed in Lincolnshire with the overall aim of supporting the improvement of a wide range of outcomes for looked after, previously looked after and other vulnerable children and young people.

Universities and colleges

To find out what the university or college you're applying to can offer, it's best to contact them directly. There are a number of ways to do this. Take a look at the information on their website or getting in touch with our educational partners. Try typing into an internet search engine the name of the university and care leaver to help you find pages on their website about what they can offer you.

For example 

University of Lincoln Care Leavers Support page 

Bishop Grosseteste University Care Leavers 

TEC Partnership Care Leavers Support

UCAS 

Visit UCAS where there is a video explaining exactly what you need to do when applying, and why its important to declare yourself as a young care leaver 

Become

Visit Become's website Propel. 

You'll find general information about moving into higher education from care, alongside specific details about the support individual unis and colleges across the UK offer. Each uni or college has its own page, containing an overview of its courses and the specific support it can give care leavers. 

You'll be able to make an informed choice about the right course at the right place for you, and make sure you're aware of all the support you're entitled to.

You can read more about Further and Higher Education support here.

Students not supported by their parents (estranged)

If you're applying for student finance through Student Finance England or Wales, and are not supported by your parents due to a breakdown in your relationship (known as estranged), you can find information about support, financing your studies and accommodation options in the Stand Alone student guide. 

The UNITE Foundation Scholarship

National accommodation scholarship scheme for care leavers and estranged students: unitefoundation.co.uk/get-a-scholarship/

National Network for the Education of Care Leavers 

The NNECL website provides information on events and further resources.

Working together to transform the progression of young people in or leaving care into and through further and higher education:

Learning and Work Institute

Resources aimed at supporting care leavers to access education, employment and training – including ‘Top Tips’ for Foster Carers:

https://learningandwork.org.uk/what-we-do/social-justice-inclusion/care-leavers/ 

Apprenticeships

You can download this Guide to Apprenticeships for Care Experienced young people from Amazing Apprenticeships