In care, Independent, In need of help and support

It is a fact that young people in public care underachieve at every stage of our education system.
Only 1% of those people who are in care attend university. So when you reach university and have battled the hurdles of getting there, how can you fit in and make the most of what university has to offer?

This article hopes to highlight some of the issues you will have to face and what support is on offer:

Paying for University
Young people in care who attend university are assumed to fund themselves by using the student loans system. In order to have access to this loan you will need to complete a HEI or student support form.

Higher Education Grants
From 2006 full time students in care can also apply for a Maintenance grant which does not have to be paid back. This could give you £2,700 per year for living costs.

Bursaries
Universities or colleges that charge over £2,700 per year in fees will have to give students who get the full maintenance grant up to £300 per year as a bursary.

Other benefits may be available to you depending upon your situation, check out the student support direct website to find out more information.

Having somewhere to stay during holidays
If you''re in care, one of the most obvious things you''ll need to think of is where you will stay when term finishes. Your local education authority is obliged to make sure you have somewhere to live in the holidays if you need it. They can help out by finding you a place to stay or paying the rent. If you move to a new council area to attend university- you should receive the same level of help from your new council. If you''re unsure contact the new council and inform them of your situation.

"If we are aware that the student is leaving care we do all we can to allocate to properties that they will be able to arrange to stay throughout the year."
Karen Burke - Accommodation Services Manager - Sheffield Hallam University

Make sure the university knows of your circumstances and try to arrange with the accommodation office what is best for you

Getting a National Insurance Number so you can work part-time
If you haven''''t already got a national insurance number then it might be the time to sort this out. You will need to arrange this through your social worker who will need to get in contact with the local benefits agency to obtain one for you. A national insurance card isn''''t proof of identity, instead it a reminder of a unique number assigned to you which is used to keep track of your national insurance contributions and the benefits which you are paid.

So by getting this number you will be able to work. Many students work part-time while they study and if you get the right balance and do something that you enjoy you can certainly reap the rewards. Working part-time will really help you later on when it comes to finding a full-time job as it will enable you to demonstrate that you have been able to show commitment to something and are able to work with other people. These skills are exactly what graduate recruiters are looking for and the upside is you''''ll be getting paid.

Support
You will probably find that going to university is a lot different to any other type of learning you will have done previously. The onus will be on you to research what you''re learning and to read around the subject you are looking at. However you will soon find out that everyone will be in the same position. Most people will have moved away from home for the first time, so as some one who has done this before you will probably be at an advantage. The main thing to remember is that if you do need help, ask for it. Both universities in South Yorkshire have great student support departments, both offering a range of services that can help you inside and outside your studies. Seek an appointment with someone from the student support teams if you feel you need to speak to someone.