Accommodation scholarships for care leavers
Information on the Unite Foundation accommodation scholarships available to care leavers.
On this page:
Unite Foundation Scholarship
The University is working with the Unite Foundation to offer free Unite accommodation for up to three years of study to students who are estranged or care leavers.
The scholarships also provide other opportunities, available through the foundation's sponsors, such as work placement opportunities, mentoring, and other activities that can help you make the most of your university experience.
Eligibility
To be considered for the Unite Foundation Scholarship as a care leaver, you must meet all of the criteria below:
- You are a care leaver (refer to our definition).
- You are eligible to pay the home or UK rate of fees.
- You are under the age of 25 as of 1 September 2025.
- You are a new student starting your undergraduate course in September 2025, or a continuing undergraduate.
- You have been assessed as or are in the process of being assessed as independent due to your care leaver status by Student Finance England (or equivalent regional funding body).
How to apply
1. Download and read the Unite Foundation’s information and guidance document to familiarise yourself with the scholarship eligibility criteria and process.
Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme 2025/2026 (PDF, 340KB)
2. Apply for the University of Sheffield’s enhanced bursary for care leavers by 5pm on Friday 30 May 2025. Your application must include the relevant evidence, as outlined on the web page.
We will review your supporting evidence and confirm if you meet the eligibility criteria for the award.
If you are a continuing student and have already applied for or receive the enhanced bursary for care leavers, you do not need to reapply or provide further evidence to support your circumstances.
Please note, you may apply for the enhanced bursary after 5pm on Friday 30 May 2025 and we will still assess whether you are eligible for our support but we will not be able to confirm your eligibility for the Unite Foundation Scholarship if you have not applied for the enhanced bursary by this date.
3. Notify our team via email (financialhelp@sheffield.ac.uk) that you are applying for the Unite Foundation Scholarship by 5pm on Friday 30 May 2025.
By notifying us that you are applying for the scholarship, you are agreeing that you're happy for us to verify your eligibility to the Unite Foundation.
4. Complete and submit the online application form directly with the Unite Foundation by 11.59pm on Friday 13 June 2025.
You will be notified of the outcome before Thursday 3 July 2025.
Awards are conditional on you being accepted and fully registered on your specified course at the University of Sheffield during the 2025-26 academic year and meeting the eligibility criteria for the scholarship.
If your eligible application is initially unsuccessful, you will be put on the reserve list and may be offered a scholarship following the adjustment and clearing process.
Selection process
The Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme is not able to provide awards for every eligible person and applies scheme priorities to decide how awards are allocated each year. Their priorities are to:
- balance scholarships between estranged and care leaver students
- reflect a range of academic ability and course choice
- balance scholarships throughout the partner university network
An application therefore represents a chance, but not a guarantee, of a scholarship.
For more information, download and read the Unite Foundation’s guidance document.
Please note, Unite does not accept pets in their accommodation.
Additional information
Accommodation Guarantor Scheme
The University will act as an accommodation guarantor for rent payable under an assured shorthold tenancy.
This service is available for students who are care leavers or estranged from their families and do not have anyone to act as a guarantor. The scheme is also open to international students (overseas or EU) who do not have a UK guarantor.
Accommodation Guarantor Scheme
Student Advice Centre
If you have concerns about your finances or anything else, then you can contact the Student Advice Centre as a professional, impartial, confidential and non-judgemental service, providing advice, support and representation to help you resolve your problems whilst studying at the University of Sheffield.
Contact the Student Advice Centre
The Student Funding Team
UCAS
UCAS provides information about financial support for students who are care leavers or care experienced on their web pages.
UCAS - Finance and funding for care experienced students
UCAS - Student finance for independent students