Estranged students

• We recognise that some estranged students may face different and/or multiple hurdles during their time at university and we want to offer you as much support as possible. This is why we hope that you will let us know if you are an estranged student, or if you become an estranged student during your studies.

• We understand that some students prefer to have a fresh start and might not want to be ‘labelled’ as estranged. However, only your named contacts will know unless you want us to tell anyone else. It is up to you how much or how little contact you want from us. We will regularly keep in touch if this works for you, or we will just occasionally email you to tell you about any support or new opportunities, or alternatively you can opt out of contact from us altogether – but we hope you don’t make this decision as we are very friendly!

Throughout your studies you will always have a named contact from the Student Support Team. If you are a current student this will either be Jabeen Akram or Sophie Blake who you can reach on independentstudents@manchester.ac.uk If you are a prospective student, your named contact before you arrive is Emma Lewis-Kalubowila who you can reach on wecare@manchester.ac.uk

Jabeen and Sophie both do the same role, so you can speak to either one of them if your assigned contact is unavailable. They can:

• Help you navigate and access university support services such as the Careers Service, Counselling and Mental Health Service, your School Support Office and the Disability Advisory and Support Centre.

• Help you settle into University life with accommodation and financial support.

• Provide a listening ear and are available for one to one meetings whenever you would like to talk to someone.

• Meet with you when you start at Manchester.

• Keep you updated with news and opportunities.

• Put you in touch with other estranged students at the university, if you would like this.

                Emma                                  Jabeen                                      Sophie

If you are an estranged student, you should be classed as an independent student when applying for Student Finance which could mean that you will receive the maximum tuition fee and maintenance loan. You will need to complete a Confirmation of Estrangement Form and provide evidence to Student Finance of your estrangement. If you are having any difficulties with this, you can email your named contact on independentstudents@manchester.ac.uk You will might also be eligible for:

• The Manchester Bursary: we will use the information you provide to Student Finance to allocate The Manchester Bursary. As an Independent student you will receive £2,600 each year for the duration of your undergraduate course.

• The Undergraduate Access Scholarship: Estranged students are eligible for the Undergraduate Access Scholarship. Students will be identified through Student Finance data or by a University verification process. If you have any queries about this, please email independentstudents@manchester.ac.uk

• Living Cost Support Fund: estranged students are a priority group for the University’s Living Cost Support Fund, so if you experience any financial difficulties during your studies you can make an application to the fund for financial support. It is important that you include detailed information of your circumstances and status as an estranged student in the personal statement section of the application.

• Budgeting Advice: you can speak to someone from the Student Support Team for budgeting advice specific to you and your circumstances. 

• Help me get online: if you are struggling to pay for a laptop you can request a laptop loan from the University.

• Access to Recreation Grant - Students can claim up to £250 (in advance or after spending) towards University and Union registered recreational activity.

• Emergency Loans/Hardship Funding - The Advice Service offers a small emergency loan scheme for students in times of short term financial hardship.

• The University Manchester can offer accommodation for the 52 weeks of your first year albeit usually in a different hall of residence in the summer.  Support beyond your first year is available from the Accommodation Office but please let them know by the January of your first year if you think you will require accommodation in the following academic year.
  

• After your first year you may decide to rent private accommodation. Manchester Student Homes is a University run private sector housing service for students who can check the legality of contracts and can provide a list of accredited student accommodation providers and landlords.

• If you are an estranged student and do not have anyone to act as your rent guarantor, you could be eligible for our rent guarantor scheme with Housing Hand. This could help cover your rent if you fall into financial difficulty and cannot pay. We are able to provide support to a limited number of students through this scheme. There are a fixed number of places on the scheme and places will be offered in order of application once you have found accommodation. Please contact independentstudents@manchester.ac.uk for more information.

• The Careers Service can see you throughout your time at Manchester. They can help you to explore work experience opportunities (including our work experience bursary that you are likely to be eligible for) and other activities available to make the most of your time at Manchester. Your designated named contacts are on hand to discuss careers that might suit you, how to apply for jobs, updating your CV and anything else relating to your plans for the future. 

• As an estranged student you will also be offered paid work at the University as a Student Ambassador. The Student Ambassador role is a flexible, part time position where you will be an ambassador for the University and a role model for prospective students. Whilst this is a great opportunity to earn some money, it will also help you to develop some great skills, for example around communication, teamwork and social and cultural awareness.

• As a student at Manchester you also have access to our wider support offering that includes both pastoral and academic support, and Jabeen and Sophie can assist you with navigating this support. For course support you can speak to your assigned Academic Advisor, you can also access the University’s study skills programme My Learning Essentials and you can also use the University's Peer Support offering. 

• In addition to the support you will receive from your named contact, there are plenty of people you can approach for advice and to chat to when you’re in Manchester. This includes your School Support Office, The Student Union Advice Centre,  The Counselling Service and The Disability Advisory and Support Service.

• Unite Foundation support and advocate for estranged students through their scholarships, community and #HomeAtUniversity campaign.

• Buttle UK - provides  grants to young people in the UK, often when there is no other source of help available to them. One particular grant that might be available to estranged young people is the Students and Trainees Programme. The Student and Trainee Grants programme awards financial support to young people (aged 16-20), who are estranged from their parents to attend education. There is particular criteria and eligibility for this programme, so please ensure you check this first.

• 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.

• This Is Us - The This Is Us community (TIUC) is a dedicated and safe online space for estranged and care-experienced HE students and recent graduates in the UK to connect, share info, arrange meet-ups and more! It’s free, national, and open to all ages & years of study

• Free sim with Internet Access  - Any Manchester resident (over the age of 18) who is on a low income and struggling to pay for internet access can now get a free SIM loaded with free data.

• All of Us is the community for estranged and care experienced students across the UK. A space to make new connections, start conversations, find out about meetups and more. The Funding for Fun section on the website (here) details how students can get support and funding to organise their own events and meetups, students have organised crazy golf, bowling, brunches out and more through this funding.