The University of Sunderland offers the Sunderland Care Leavers Scholarship to students that have 'former relevant care leaver status'. This scholarship, worth up to £1500 per annum. is awarded over a three or four year period and will be paid every year in three instalments of £500.
Applicants must be enrolled at the University of Sunderland as full-time undergraduate "home" students. They will have to fulfil at least one of the following criteria: have 'former relevant care leaver status' according to the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. This status applies to people under the age of 25 who were 'looked after' by the local authority for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 and ending after the age 16; have been privately fostered up to the age of 16; or have been the subject of a 'special guardianship order' and were 'looked after' immediately prior to the making of the order.