Your Rights: Education Support for Care Leavers

If you grew up in care, you have more rights in education than people often realise.
This includes things as basic as application fees, which many care-experienced young people should not have to pay.

These rights exist for a reason. They exist because you should not be held back by what you lived through. You deserve stability, support, and opportunities that help you build your future.

The problem is that nobody sits you down and explains this properly.
Not social workers. Not colleges. Not universities. Not government pages written in complicated language.

So if you feel unsure, overwhelmed, or like you are guessing, that is not your fault.
You were never given the guidebook.

This is that guidebook.

This article explains your education rights in simple, human language, so you know what support you can ask for and how to access it.

A familiar moment

The story below is based on real experiences shared by care-experienced young people. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy:

Rowan, 19, and the “I didn’t know I could get that” moment

Rowan started college feeling constantly stressed about money. Travel costs, books, and everyday expenses all added up, and they assumed this was just something they had to manage alone.

It was only when a support worker casually mentioned the college bursary that Rowan realised help was available. Later on, they also discovered their university offered a specific care leaver scholarship.

Rowan’s first reaction was simple and honest:
“Why did no one tell me this sooner?”

Exactly. This is a common experience for care-experienced young people. Support exists, but it is rarely explained clearly or offered upfront. Knowing what you are entitled to can change everything.

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Your health rights as a care leaver

Use this section to understand what support and entitlements are available to you. You are not asking for too much. You are claiming what is already yours.

Click on each option below for more information:

• 1. You have the right to a Personal Advisor (PA) up to age 25

  Your PA can support you throughout education, not just during crises.

  They can help with applications, Student Finance forms, gathering evidence, finding courses or apprenticeships, writing emails, and staying on track when things feel overwhelming.

  You are allowed this support even if you are doing well.
  Support is not reserved for people who are struggling.

• 2. You can receive financial support through your Local Authority

  Every Local Authority has a Care Leaver Offer, which explains what support is available locally.

  This often includes help with:

  • Education bursaries

  • Travel costs

  • Equipment such as laptops, stationery, or uniforms

  • Exam or registration fees

  • Accommodation support, including during holidays

  • Support if you study outside your home area

  This is not charity.
  It is an entitlement linked to your care experience.

• 3. The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund can support you at college

  If you are aged 16 to 19 and in education, care leavers usually qualify for a guaranteed bursary.

  This can help with everyday costs such as meals, travel, course materials, kits, or trips. The exact support varies by college, so it is always worth asking their Student Support or Welfare team.

• 4. You may have the right to a UCAS application fee waiver

  Applying to university usually involves an application fee, but this is changing for care-experienced young people.

  From the 2027 application cycle, care leavers will not need to pay a UCAS application fee when applying to university or college through UCAS.

  This removes a financial barrier at the very first stage of applying.

  If you are applying before 2027, a UCAS application fee may still apply. If you are unsure, you can:

  • Check directly on the UCAS website
  • Ask your Personal Advisor or support worker
  • Speak to your college, sixth form, or careers team

  When applying from 2027 onwards, the fee waiver should apply when you declare your care-experienced status as part of your application.

  If anything feels unclear or does not apply correctly, you are allowed to ask for help. This is not a favour. It is a recognised entitlement.

• 5. Universities often provide additional care leaver support

  Many universities offer specific packages for care-experienced students. These can include a care leaver bursary (often between £1,000 and £3,000 per year), year-round accommodation, priority for halls, and access to a dedicated support team.

  Some also provide mentoring, academic support, and easier access to wellbeing services.

  A good starting point is searching:
  “[University name] care leaver support”

• 6. You are usually assessed as an independent student for Student Finance

  As a care leaver, Student Finance usually does not take parental income into account.

  This often means you qualify for the higher maintenance loan. You will normally just need a letter confirming your care leaver status, which your PA or Local Authority can provide.

  This is designed to reduce financial pressure, not increase it.

• 7. You may be entitled to Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

  If you have a mental health condition, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or a long-term health condition, you may be eligible for DSA.

  This support is not income-based. It is based on need.

  It can help with things like specialist equipment, software, mentoring, and study support that makes learning more accessible.

• 8. You have the right to academic and pastoral support

  Colleges and universities are expected to support you, not just assess you.

  This can include extra time in exams, help understanding assignments, study skills support, counselling, wellbeing appointments, or access to a mentor or support worker.

  If you are struggling, you are allowed to say so.
  Support is part of your entitlement, not a favour.

• 9. You can ask for extra help when life gets difficult

  If something changes or becomes overwhelming, you can speak to your PA, tutors, safeguarding leads, or student wellbeing teams.

  Education providers understand that care experience comes with unique challenges. You are allowed support without being judged or labelled as a problem.

• 10. You can get help with practical barriers to learning

  This might include support with WiFi or data, travel passes, course equipment, uniforms for apprenticeships, or childcare in some cases.

  Your PA or Student Support team can help you explore what is available locally.

• 11. You have the right to advocate for yourself - and to have support with that

  If something feels unclear or unfair, you are allowed to ask direct questions.

  For example:

  • “As a care leaver, what support should I be receiving?”

  • “Can you explain my bursary options?”

  • “Is there a care leaver policy for this?”

  • “Can my PA join this meeting?”
    

  You deserve to be included, informed, and supported.

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If you are unsure what you are entitled to

You can ask:

• Your PA or support worker

• Your local Care Leaver Offer website

• Wellbeing services

• Youth support charities
  

You do not need to know everything and you are allowed to ask questions.

Reflective moment

If learning about these rights brings up relief, anger, sadness, or confusion, that is completely normal.

You should not have had to guess what support you qualify for. You should not have had to piece things together alone. Systems often forget that care-experienced young people do not have the same safety nets.

But now you know more; And your education journey matters.

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Closing thoughts

You have a right to support, stability, and opportunity in education.

Not because you are lucky, not because someone is being kind.
But because you deserve a fair chance, just like anyone else.

You are allowed to use every bit of support available to you, and you are allowed to build your future with the right backing behind you.