Estranged Students

You are estranged if you don’t have support from your parents (biological, step or adoptive) due to a breakdown in your relationship.

There are many reasons why someone becomes estranged, which could include (but are not limited to): being homeless/at risk of homelessness, being a victim of domestic abuse by family members, having experienced/been threatened with 'honour'-based violence or forced marriage or being disowned/rejected for being LGBTQ+ or because of life choices which parents disagree with. You can learn more about this

Depending upon whether the estrangement has been disclosed, and whether sufficient evidence has been provided, you may be classed as “estranged” by Student Finance and be assessed for maintenance support as an independent student i.e. based upon your own income rather than your parents’.

If you are treated as an independent student by Student Finance, you will be more likely to receive the maximum funding including the 天堂视频 Bursary.

Evidencing your estrangement can be complicated so please make an appointment with the Student Advice and Support Service for more help.

You can also visit  for more information.

Financial assistance may be granted from the Hardship Fund Summer Scheme if students are living independently over the summer, due to being estranged from their family. It is expected that students will attempt to find paid work or other means of supporting themselves over the summer but should explain if they have reasonable grounds for not doing so.

Accessing support as an estranged student

To access general support as an estranged student if you can contact:

Estranged HE students and graduates of any age can also join the ‘’ student led community where they can chat with others, share helpful info, arrange meet-ups, organise games-night, find existing local groups near you, run day-trips/holidays, have serious conversations, give peer-support, pose questions, etc.

Last updated: 13th October 2023