Independant status

Oldernotwiser

Thanks for that, I've only come across the situation for careleavers before; that was interesting.

Crispy_Ambulance

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Thanks for that, I've only come across the situation for careleavers before; that was interesting.

Unfortunately we've dealt with students who have been thrown out of home for being gay/lesbian, for arguing with their parents or even for doing the "wrong" course.

It is a difficult one for LEAs sometimes, as obviously they need to make sure the student is telling the truth, but there is room in the guidance for discretion.

John38_2

Crispy_Ambulance wrote: »

Being classed as independent on the grounds of being self supporting for 3 years should not be confused with being classed as independent on the grounds of estrangment.

From the current Notes for Guidance for LEAs (Assessing Financial Entitlement Section):

Estrangement is where a student "has communicated with neither of his parents for the period of one year before the beginning of the relevant year for which he is being financially assessed"

or

"he can demonstrate on other grounds that he is irreconcilably estranged from his parents"

There is no qualifying period for irreconcilable estrangement and each case should be considered individually. LEAs might ask for 3rd party evidence (police or social services) but they shouldn't insist on it. In some cases it won't be there - ie if the student is over 18 and no crime has been committed there would be no need to involve either the police or social services.

If John38 meets the critieria to get IS as a young person, that should be more than enough evidence for the LEA. I've successfully argued estrangement with less evidence than that. A students' union advice centre would be able to help.

As for how much he would get, that depends on the funding situation when he goes to uni. An independent student with no partner would be very likely to get the maximum support available - full grant, loan and probably university bursary as well. But if you contact your students' union advice centre nearer the time, they will be able to tell you more.

Thanks thats great.

I'll obviously have 2 years worth of IS to prove it all.

Out of curiousity, if I was to start this September, classed as an independent learner, no income other than IS, no partner etc, what is the current maximum grant, maximum loan, and maximum bursary available?

Cheers.

Crispy_Ambulance

The figures for 2008/09 for undergrads are here

Regarding bursaries, you will need to look at each university because they will all have different criteria. Most will have a bursary calculator on their websites. There will also be the Access to Learning Fund that you can apply for when you are there.

Oldernotwiser

John38 wrote: »

Thanks thats great.

I'll obviously have 2 years worth of IS to prove it all.

Out of curiousity, if I was to start this September, classed as an independent learner, no income other than IS, no partner etc, what is the current maximum grant, maximum loan, and maximum bursary available?

Cheers.

I thought from your other threads that you were 16 and just starting college?

John38_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I thought from your other threads that you were 16 and just starting college?

Correct.

If you read my post again, you'll see I mention I won't be starting Uni for a few years yet....

I like to do a bit of forward planning if thats OK with you?

Oldernotwiser

John38 wrote: »

Correct.

If you read my post again, you'll see I mention I won't be starting Uni for a few years yet....

I like to do a bit of forward planning if thats OK with you?

Don't get snappy!

You did say "if I was to start this September", which you have to admit is a bit confusing.

John38_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Don't get snappy!

You did say "if I was to start this September", which you have to admit is a bit confusing.

"If" I was to start this September....

If I was planning on attending Uni in 2 months I think even I might of managed to get it sorted for definate by now .

Sorry about the snappyness. It just seems that sometimes, everything I say is questioned by self appoint 'board patrol' lol :rolleyes: .