grrrrrr student finance ...

DrFluffy

It used to be at the start of your course (I'm on the old system - £1,255 this year - the amount is always advertised in the PR1 form notes), if you're on this too, as it seems from the fee amount you quoted then you might be stuck. I'd call your LEA.

bestpud

DrFluffy wrote: »

It used to be at the start of your course (I'm on the old system - £1,255 this year - the amount is always advertised in the PR1 form notes), if you're on this too, as it seems from the fee amount you quoted then you might be stuck. I'd call your LEA.

Ah, I didn't realise that - that's a bummer in your case!

I wonder if it counts that you have stopped and started through ill health though?

Is it an option to leave uni now and then re-apply to do the final year next year? Would you then be under a new system entirely and could qualify as independent? I'm not sure how it would affect your funding, or course (more to the point), if you do that though, so be careful!

Definitely talk to your LEA, as DrFluffy says.

bestpud

Just found this and thought you may be able to apply on these grounds:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/ApplyingForFinance-NewStudents/DG_10034857

Students who are estranged from their
parents

If you want to claim independent status because
you are estranged from your parents, you must
provide confirmation from a professional person
outside your family who knows about your
circumstances. Examples of proof you could
provide are:
• a letter from your social worker (if you have
one);
• if you claimed Income Support when you were
under 18, a letter from your local Jobcentre Plus
office showing that you received benefits
because of your situation;
• if your relationship with your parents broke
down while you were at school or college, a
letter from an advice worker or personal tutor or
teacher, confirming your circumstances; or
• if you have visited your doctor because of
problems relating to your broken relationship
with your parents, a letter to confirm your
circumstances.
To qualify for independent status because of this,
you will need to prove that the lack of contact
with your parents is permanent. You must
provide evidence of this to your LA (or the SLC)
explaining the circumstances which led to this.
Your LA (or the SLC) would normally expect you
to have had no contact with your parents for at
least 12 months although this may not apply in
exceptional circumstances.
You will not be able to claim independent status
just because you do not get on with your parents
or because you do not live with them. You will
also not be able to claim independent status
simply because your parents do not want to give
details of their income, or refuse to provide

financial support to you.

loopsy

hi jenny

do you have a adviser in student services who could help you out? i'm starting my first year of a degree this september and my college adviser helped me out by looking over my completed finance form and checking if all was clear. i also had to explain a few things about my partner's income and he ran thru how to do this - was very helpful!!

i haven't had any feedback from student finances yet so not sure if it worked but i think it's worth seeing if you can get some support from your student services.

hope this helps - good luck!

top_drawer_2

hi,

Yes I think I am going to have to ask about this .... because I am finding it very complicated. I spoke to my LEA ages ago and they said it was very straight forward as they would use the details from previous years and so I would only have ubmit limited information, but then the Student Finance said differently....

Jen

Lokolo

Also you stated you want a grant for tuition? This doesn't exist?

If you apply for a general grant they automatically go for income based and therefore ask you for parents payslips as this is what it depends on.

top_drawer_2

I am on the old system, it doesnt exist anymore ...

Jen

satriales

I don't think you have to be 25 at the start of the course, just the year that you are applying for finance:

Independent students

The lists below aren’t exhaustive, but they provide a general guide to when you’ll be classed as an independent student.
You’ll usually be classed as independent if any of the following apply to you on the first day of the academic year for which you’re applying for support:

• you have care of a child or young person under the age of 18
• you are aged 25 or over
• you have no living parents

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/ApplyingForFinance-NewStudents/DG_10034857

DrFluffy

satriales wrote: »

I don't think you have to be 25 at the start of the course, just the year that you are applying for finance:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/ApplyingForFinance-NewStudents/DG_10034857

We're under the old system... All the T&Cs changed when fees went up to £3k+inflation... :mad: :mad: