Financial support for students leaving local authority care.
The information on this page is correct for the 2025/26 academic year.
Overview
If you are leaving local authority care, you may be eligible to receive the Care Leaver Package.
"To not have to worry about my living situation and the costs involved in studying has been so reassuring. Because my past has been so unstable, I'm always thinking about the future, that's why I've used the financial support I receive to start saving for when I leave University and go off into the world."
Ella, media student
What you could receive
Successful applicants will be awarded a total of £3,600; this is made up of:
- The maximum of £2,100 from the Student Success Scholarship, and
- A Care Leaver Bursary of £1,500.
Part-time students will receive a proportional award.
You can only receive the package once per academic year, and you need to reapply each academic year.
Who can apply
To be considered for an award, you must:
- be eligible for, and have applied for, the Student Success Scholarship,
- have spent three or more months in local authority care in the school years including and after year ten, and
- be aged 25 or under at the time of enrolment at Sheffield Hallam.
If you receive benefits and/or any other financial support, it is your responsibility to check whether receiving an award will affect your entitlement(s)/payments.
How and when to apply
Apply for the Student Success Scholarship in one of the application windows.
If you are eligible to apply for the Student Success Scholarship, the application form can be found in the scholarships section in My Student Record.
You must read the terms and conditions and the information about the Student Success Scholarship before applying.
What happens next
We will contact you about one month after the Student Success Scholarship application window closes to tell you the outcome of your application.
If your application is successful, we will confirm your Student Success Scholarship award amount, confirm your eligibility for the Care Leaver Bursary and give instructions on how to provide your bank details.
If you apply in the first Student Success Scholarship application window, we will normally contact you in February to confirm your Care Leaver Bursary payment date. If you apply if the second application window, we will normally contact you in April to confirm your Care Leaver Bursary payment date.
If you believe you are eligible for the Care Leaver Package but do not receive confirmation, please contact Hallam Help.
Need help
If you have any questions about the Care Leaver Package, please contact Hallam Help.
If you are considering applying for Sheffield Hallam, or you are currently an applicant, as a care leaver, you may be eligible to join our SHU Progress applicant support scheme. It provides additional support throughout the application process, from the year you choose to apply to university through to becoming a university student.
