We know that two key areas of concern for young independent students include the level of financial support available and the availability of out of term-time accommodation. The Kent Young Independent Students Pack has been designed with these areas of concern in mind.

With the exception of the guaranteed access to accommodation, the Young Independent Students Package is delivered in a student's first year only.  

The Young Independent Funding Pack includes:

• Guaranteed access to accommodation for the duration of your course, including the summer vacation, subject to remaining in good financial standing with the University
• A one-off, £600 cash bursary towards the costs of starting life at University
• A one-off payment of £100 towards graduation costs for students who attend their graduation ceremony
• We may be able to provide provision for travel in advance to attend University interviews. (This must be applied for at least one week in advance).
  

You may apply for the support package if you meet the following criteria:

• You are a new, undergraduate student
• You are a UK home fee paying student
• You are under 20 years of age
• You have been in receipt of Universal Credit income support whilst in full-time education before starting at Kent
• You can provide documentation to prove that you were in receipt of Universal Credit income support for a minimum of six months immediately before starting at Kent
  

The Young Independent Application Form for the academic year 2024/25 is available here.

PLEASE NOTE: All applications and queries should be made by email to FinancialAid@kent.ac.uk

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2025. If the deadline is missed and you continue to be a registered student at Kent, you can apply in the following academic year.

If you would like to apply for provision for travel to attend an interview please email your details to FinancialAid@kent.ac.uk at least one week prior to your interview date.

The Kent Young Independent Student Pack is available to students in addition to any other support they may receive from other sources (this excludes Care Leavers, Estranged students, Homeless/foyer Students and Student Carer Bursaries).

Student loans

Full-time and part-time undergraduate students are able to apply to Student Finance England for a tuition fee loan to cover the costs of study and a maintenance loan for general living costs.

Kent Financial Support Package

At Kent, we believe that all students who have the academic potential to benefit from our courses should have the opportunity to come to the University and we have established one of the most generous financial support schemes in the UK. Learn more about the Kent Financial Support Package.  

Students may become eligible for the KFSP at any stage of University, although the award will not be backdated. Students will only be paid the award from the moment their eligibility is confirmed (e.g. if a student becomes eligible in Stage 2, they will only be paid KFSP from Stage 2 onwards; they will not be awarded KFSP for any previous years of study).

Students will be assessed for KFSP under the criteria for their year of entry to the university.