independent / dependent student loans

coppen0609

just tryin to find out if i would be classified as a independent or dependent student for student loans purposes.
im 24 and when not at uni i live with my parents but pay rent to them and before coming to uni i did have a full time job for several years do i count as an independent student or not?

TrickyNiki

I am also 24, I held a full time job for a few years before university and paid keep (rent) to my parents.

I am classed as dependent , since I lived with my parents, and will classed as such until I am 25 at which point you are classed as an independent mature student.

Hope this helps.

farso

Hi,

Im not certain this is true actually, I applied as independant student as I had been working for over 5 years, and have not had to prove that I was living in my own home (although i was)

Id say, apply for it.. they can only say no?

Oldernotwiser

If you have been employed or on benefits for a minimum of 3 years (before the course starts) then you should be classified as an independent student. Whether you live with your parents or pay them rent is irrelevant.

DrFluffy

You CAN get reassessed if you are paying your parents the going rate for rent and not just a token payment, and can prove you have been doing so for 3 years. It's a pain in the !!!!, paper trail city, but I've two friends who did this.

Oldernotwiser

DrFluffy wrote: »

You CAN get reassessed if you are paying your parents the going rate for rent and not just a token payment, and can prove you have been doing so for 3 years. It's a pain in the !!!!, paper trail city, but I've two friends who did this.

"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

Generally speaking, you’ll also be classed as independent if either of the following applies to you before the first day of the academic year for which you’re applying for support:

• you are, or have been, married or in a civil partnership
• you have supported yourself for at least three years " www.direct.gov.org

It doesn't matter at all whether you pay rent or not; it depends on whether you earn your own money or are on benefits.

DrFluffy

Well, obviously they were both earning to pay going rate rent (one in the City and I think the other was a paramedic with a poor relationship with his rants). But as far as provivng independence without having to resort to legal parental separation, it works.

Oldernotwiser

DrFluffy wrote: »

Well, obviously they were both earning to pay going rate rent (one in the City and I think the other was a paramedic with a poor relationship with his rants). But as far as provivng independence without having to resort to legal parental separation, it works.

All you need is P60s, letters from employers and/or proof of receiving benefits. That's all!

bestpud

Just because I'm interested...

Does it have to be full time work? I'm assuming part time work and part time education wouldn't count? For example, if someone was woring say 25 hours and doing A levels in the evening?

Would it depend whether they were earning enough to keep themselves without parental help?

Because part time work could (unlikely at this age, I know) be enough to support someone in a small bedsit...

Oldernotwiser

I've never thought about it - but it's an interesting question, isn't it?

Edit: I've just had a look around and most LAs specify "full time paid employment", although whether or not that's their interpretation, I don't know.

[Deleted User]

You have to show that you were able to support yourself. So earning an amount that wouldn't allow you to reasonably live in the local area (rent etc) would not count as self supporting.