There are many ways to talk about your situation if you’re estranged from family. You may say you’re ‘not on speaking terms’ with them, or you may feel you’ve been ‘disowned’, ‘fallen out’ or ‘lost contact’ with family members.

Assessments for student funding are normally made based on parental income. You may be considered as being ‘irreconcilably estranged from your parents’ if you have not had verbal or written contact with both of your biological, adoptive parents or your only living parent for a significant period of time and this will not change. For funding purposes, a significant period of time is usually considered twelve months or longer prior to the start of your course, but this can also depend on your circumstances. Please see our link to Financial Support for advice on how to show that you are estranged when applying for Student Finance.

Whatever your circumstances, we would like to reassure you that at Sheffield Hallam you don’t need to be on your own. If you would like to talk to someone about university life and how to access support should you wish, please contact our advisers at inclusivesupport@shu.ac.uk or visit one of the Hallam Help Points.

If you’re feeling alone or isolated due to being estranged from your family please be reassured that you’re not on your own.  Around 27 per cent of people will be estranged from their family at some point in their life. There are lots of sources of support and information available. We recommend articles by the author Becca Bland. founder of Stand Alone, a charity supporting adults that are estranged from their family. See a range of her articles here.

For information about support as a student, see our pages below:

Statutory Funding (Student Finance)

How to apply for funding as an estranged student

You can apply for Student Finance on their website here.

There is also a lot of information and guidance on the UCAS website regarding financial support for students not supported by their family, which you can view here.

Assessments for student funding are normally made based on parental income. If you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents then you can apply as an ‘independent student’. If you don’t apply as an independent student then Student Finance will try and assess your funding entitlement based on the household income of someone you’re dependent on. If they don’t receive information about this household income, they will only be able to assess you for the basic level of non means-tested funding, potentially reducing the amount you will receive. If you are estranged from your family, when you get to the section that asks whether you are a dependent or independent student, you should tick the box that states that you are “irreconcilably estranged from your family” and you will also need to send in some supporting evidence.

Here is a helpful factsheet from Student Finance England all about Independent student status.

Student Finance England have also provided a form you can ask a referee to complete to evidence that you are estranged. This is the form you need in order to apply for your funding for 2019/20.

If you are applying for funding for 2020/21, make sure you use the correct form here.

StandAlone have written a guide to support estranged students applying for independent status from Student Finance
England and Wales. You can find that guide here.

There is also a check list to help you work out what sort of evidence you can send to support your application as an independent student..

The Student Finance calculator will help you work out how much funding you will be entitled to.

What if I have not been assessed as ‘estranged’ by Student Finance?

If you are estranged but you’re finding it difficult to apply for Student Finance as an independent student, you are welcome to visit the Student Funding team for advice and support. The advisers there are experienced at supporting students in this situation. You can discuss your individual circumstances and seek advice as to whether you should be eligible for funding as an independent student. They can help you find out the best sort of evidence to obtain and support you in contacting the relevant contacts within the funding authorities.

You can contact the team via Hallam Help to request an appointment. Alternatively, you can speak to you named contacts Emily and Robin, as they can support you to access a funding appointment.

Financial Support from the University

Sheffield Hallam University’s Student Success Scholarship is for new Home undergraduate students starting from 2017 onwards and is designed to help you succeed at Sheffield Hallam.

The scholarship includes a series of financial awards for individual students from £200 up to £2000, as well as priority access to a support package designed to support your wellbeing, develop your employability and enhance your money management skills.

Please read further details about the Scholarship and eligibility criteria here.

You can find out if you may be eligible for any other scholarships or bursaries here.

External Sources of Support

Buttle UK – provides grants to young people in the UK aged 16-20, often when there is no other source of help available to them. To apply for funding as an estranged young person you’d need some support from a person in a support role. This is something we can help with so do get in touch. You’ll find information about the funding and how to apply here: www.buttleuk.org/need-support/young-people#help There are particular eligibility criteria for this programme, so please ensure you check this first.

Buttle UK also have on their website a comprehensive list of other sources of financial support you may be able to apply to: www.buttleuk.org/other-charities

Brightside – has some useful information for students whose parents are unwilling to provide their income details, as well as estranged students finding it difficult to evidence independence.

Turn2us – is a free service that helps people in financial need to access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help. Their website has a free and easy to use benefits calculator and grants search.

• Robin and I are available to meet with you one-to-one or by phone/email to talk briefly about your situation, discuss any issues or concerns and identify sources of support as needed.
• We provide regular newsletters by email about relevant opportunities, events and support to help you make the most of your time as a student.
• You can access to our Estranged Student Facebook page, where you can connect with other students who are care leavers at Sheffield Hallam.
• We can help you access support with funding issues, financial hardship and money skills from our colleagues in Student Funding.
• We can help put you in touch with specialist services such as Careers and Employability/Student Wellbeing.