Accommodation scholarships for estranged students
Information on the accommodation scholarships available to estranged students.
Definition of estranged
Being estranged means you have no relationship with, or support from, your parents.
To be considered an estranged student, this situation must be permanent, and you must have little or no contact with your parents with this being unlikely to change.
Unite Foundation accommodation scholarship
The University is working with the to offer free Unite accommodation for up to three years of study to students who are estranged or from care.
The scholarship also provides 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 have been considered for the scholarship, you must be
- permanently estranged from your parents or guardians (see our definition)
- eligible to pay the home or UK rate of fees
- under the age of 25 as of 1 September 2024
- a new student starting your undergraduate course in September 2024, or a continuing undergraduate
- in receipt of, or applying for, student finance specific to care leavers, care experienced or estranged students
How to apply
- Download and read the information & guidance document to familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria & process:
Unite Scholarship guidance for new students (PDF, 400KB)
Unite Scholarship guidance for continuers (PDF, 328KB)
- Notify our team (financialhelp@sheffield.ac.uk) that you are applying for the Unite Foundation scholarship and provide evidence to confirm your status as as estranged before 5pm on 31 May 2024.
If you are a continuing student and have applied for the Enhanced Bursary for estranged students, you do not need to provide further evidence to support your circumstances. You should still contact us to confirm you are applying though.
Contact the (financialhelp@sheffield.ac.uk) if you have any difficulty providing this evidence.
- We will review your supporting evidence and confirm if you meet the eligibility criteria for the award. 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.
- Complete and submit the directly with the Unite Foundation by midnight, 14 June 2024.
You will be notified of the outcome before 4 July 2024. 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. Their priority is 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
For further information and guidance on eligibility and how to apply, refer to the PDFs below or visit the . Unite does not accept pets in their accommodation.
Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme 2024/2025 guidance for new students (PDF, 400KB)Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme 2024/2025 guidance for continuers (PDF, 328KB)
Additional information
Awards are conditional on you being accepted and fully registered on your specified course at the University of 91̽»¨ during the 2024-25 academic year and meeting the eligibility criteria for the scholarship.
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 a care leaver 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.