Students lacking family support

This is part of our information on ‘support for our diverse community’

Some students may lack family support even though they are not a student carer, estranged or have care experience, but nonetheless have a difficult relationship with their parent/s.

The reasons for this will be varied and unique to the student but may be due to:

• family breakdown
• parental health issues
• a mismatch in expectations about the student’s life choices e.g. a choice to attend university.

Circumstances like this are likely to impact on a student’s wellbeing, finances and housing situation.

To access general wellbeing support, you can self-refer via the Health, Wellbeing and Disability referral form.

Parents may in some circumstances refuse to support a student’s funding application. If a student’s maintenance loan cannot be household income assessed (generally on parents’ income), this will result in the minimum amount of funding only which is likely not to cover all essential outgoings for the year. 

If you are in this situation, request an appointment with the Student Advice and Support Service. 

• You may be eligible for financial support from the university’s Student Experience APP Fund, designed to enhance a student’s experience during their time studying.
• Financial assistance may be granted from the Undergraduate Hardship Fund Summer Scheme if students are living independently over the summer. 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.
• The University has a Hardship Fund which may provide a grant to students who find themselves in financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances since the start of the academic year. The purpose of the Hardship Fund is to provide support for students who would not otherwise be able to continue to study.
• Potential additional funds could be available from charitable trusts depending on eligibility.
• Further information on banking, budgeting and managing your money is available on the Student Advice & Support webpages, enabling you to review your overall financial situation.

The University has partnered with Housing Hand to support students requiring a UK guarantor to access their service at a reduced rate following a successful application.

You can also find more information on Housing hand and the university’s partnership with them by following the link to the Student Accommodation Centre’s webpages.

You can find more information on other professional rent guarantor service and what to consider when selecting one on our guarantors webpage. 

Last updated: 20th August 2026