If you don't have any contact with your parents and are applying to higher education
Applying for student finance as an independent student
If you are not a ‘care leaver’ but you don't have any contact with your parents you may still be able to apply for student finance for higher education as an independent student. To be able to do this you will need to provide evidence that you are 'estranged from your parents'.
Stand Alone is an organisation that supports estranged students and it can provide you with information and advice to support you in finding out what you need to do.
They've produced a useful student finance guide to help you find out what you need to do to apply for finance.
Standalone has also produced a list of contacts for each university so that you can contact them directly to discuss any help you need.
UCAS also has support for students without parent support (estranged).
University contacts to help estranged students
Many universities understand how difficult it can be for students applying to and studying at university without the support of their family. It is worth getting in contact with the universities you are thinking of going to and asking what help is available for estranged students. The universities can also provide practical help with the student-finance process and also help you apply for year-round accommodation too.