Accommodation scholarships for estranged students
Information on the Unite Foundation accommodation scholarships available to estranged students.
On this page:
Unite Foundation Scholarship
The University is working with the Unite Foundation to offer free Unite accommodation for up to three years of study to students who are estranged or care leavers.
The scholarships also provide other opportunities, available through the foundation's sponsors, such as work placement opportunities, mentoring, and other activities that can help you make the most of your university experience.
Eligibility
To be considered for the Unite Foundation Scholarship as an estranged student, you must meet all of the criteria below:
- You are permanently estranged from your parents or guardians (refer to our definition). Please note that if both of your parents are deceased, you are eligible to apply for enhanced support from the University, but you will not meet the eligibility criteria for the Unite Foundation Scholarship.
- You are eligible to pay the home or UK rate of fees.
- You are under the age of 25 as of 1 September 2026.
- You are a new student starting your undergraduate course in September 2026, or a continuing undergraduate completing your first, and only attempt, at undergraduate level.
- You have been assessed as or are in the process of being assessed as independent due to your estranged status by Student Finance England (or equivalent regional funding body).
How to apply
1. Download and read the Unite Foundation’s information and guidance document to familiarise yourself with the scholarship eligibility criteria and process.
Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme 2026/2027 (PDF, 434KB)
2. Apply for the University of Sheffield’s enhanced bursary for estranged students by 5pm on Friday 29 May 2026. Your application must include the relevant evidence, as outlined on the web page.
We will review your supporting evidence and confirm if you meet the eligibility criteria for the award.
If you are a continuing student and have already applied for or receive the enhanced bursary for estranged students, you do not need to reapply or provide further evidence to support your circumstances.
Please note, you may apply for the enhanced bursary after 5pm on Friday 29 May 2026 and we will still assess whether you are eligible for our support but we will not be able to confirm your eligibility for the Unite Foundation Scholarship if you have not applied for the enhanced bursary by this date.
3. Notify our team via email (financialhelp@sheffield.ac.uk) that you are applying for the Unite Foundation Scholarship by 5pm on Friday 29 May 2026.
By notifying us that you are applying for the scholarship, you are agreeing that you're happy for us to verify your eligibility to the Unite Foundation and consent to sharing your data for this purpose.
4. Complete and submit the online application form directly with the Unite Foundation by 11.59pm on Friday 19 June 2026.
You will be notified of the outcome before Monday 6 July 2026.
Awards are conditional on you being accepted and fully registered on your specified course at the University of Sheffield during the 2026-27 academic year and meeting the eligibility criteria for the scholarship.
If your eligible application is initially unsuccessful, you will be put on the reserve list and may be offered a scholarship following the adjustment and clearing process.
Selection process
The Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme is not able to provide awards for every eligible person and applies scheme priorities to decide how awards are allocated each year. Their priorities are to:
- balance scholarships between estranged and care leaver students
- reflect a range of academic ability and course choice
- balance scholarships throughout the partner university network
An application therefore represents a chance, but not a guarantee, of a scholarship.
For more information, download and read the Unite Foundation’s guidance document.
Please note, Unite does not accept pets in their accommodation.
Additional information
Student Advice Centre
If you have concerns about your finances or anything else, then you can contact the Student Advice Centre as a professional, impartial, confidential and non-judgemental service, providing advice, support and representation to help you resolve your problems whilst studying at the University of Sheffield.
Contact the Student Advice Centre
The Student Funding Team
UCAS
UCAS provides information about financial support for students who are estranged on their web pages.
UCAS - Financial support for students not supported by their parents (estranged)
UCAS - Student finance for independent students - Estrangement