For most students, 'student finance' (or student loan) is the usual way to get funding for university.

Student loans may sound overwhelming, but you only start paying them off once you earn over a certain amount.

The rules about student funding are complicated and will depend on where you live.

To be assessed as a care leaver by Student Finance and receive maximum funding as an independent student, you will need to provide written evidence to support your application. A letter from your Local Authority confirming your care leaving status should be sent to Student Finance. This will only need to be done once, with your first application.

• Care leavers are also able to get additional funding which will not need to be paid back.
• Cardiff University may provide you with an additional Care Leavers Bursary.
• You may also be able to get financial help form your Local Authority if you start university before your 25th Birthday.

Make sure you get advice about the funding you could receive before you start University.

Student Advice is a free, confidential and independent service available for students of Cardiff University. We are independent of the University and our role is to give you impartial advice and guidance and help you understand the options available to you.

If your circumstances are impacting your wellbeing and/or ability to study and perform at your usual level, we can:

• advise you on how to report Extenuating Circumstances to the University;
• advise you on how to submit an Academic Appeal if you have missed the Extenuating Circumstances deadline, or you circumstances have been refused;
• advise you on how to take an Interruption of Study and what you need to think about when deciding what to do;
• signpost you to other support services.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting students from a care background to ensure that they receive the help they need in order to have a successful university experience.

The University have a Dedicated Contact, who acts as a mentor for anyone who has been in care.

They can help with:

• student funding issues, including making an application and liaising with your funding body if there are any problems
• managing your money while at university
• academic-related issues, including liaising with your academic department or assist you in applying for extenuating circumstances
• accessing other University services such as Disability and Dyslexia Service, Counselling and Wellbeing or Study Skills.+

More information can be found here, or by calling +44(0)2922 518 888.

If you will struggle to secure accommodation in the private sector because you haven’t got someone to act as your guarantor, as a care leaver you might be eligible for the Cardiff University Guarantor Scheme.