Financial help for studying?

[Velvetee]

My 18 year old niece would like to go to university to study law, however, she comes from a slightly dysfunctional family and lives with her father and stepmother, she does not get on with her stepmother and wants to move out of the home.

If she did move out, it would mean she would have to get a full time job and blow any chances of going to university. Does anyone know if there is financial help for young people, who want to attend university away from home, but are from less well off families?

It's been a while since I did further education and back then, was able to obtain a grant for my fees and some living expenses.

[SRH]

Check out this site for more info and contact details on how to find out more:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearni ng/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance /index.htm

It's a while since I was at uni but back then (early 90s) I had a friend who left home and 15 because of family problems and she got loads of financial help because her parents refused to give her any money.

Individual universities also have hardship funds and bursaries to help less well off students. Whichever uni she wants to go to she should contact their welfare office to find out if she can get any bursaries (which, unlike loans, don't have to be paid back).

You can also get sponsorship from some companies for certain courses, such as newspapers paying scholarships for students wanting to do journalism, but competition is tough. The Army, airforce and science industries also have funding schemes where you have to agree to work for them for a set period after graduating - but the financial benefits while studying can be very attractive.