please help re maintenance grants etc complex situation

angela_2107

Hi hope someone can help. i intend to go to uni in september f/t. i have managed to convince my employer to let me work 20 hrs a week.

few questions tho, i am so confused, i know the maintenance grant is means tested so i wanna get it right on the forms etc

1. is my wage taken into account? i have read it isnt?

2. i have a complex home life. i have 2 kids and me and the dad have recently split up. he cant sell as he will be in negative equity - only bought 14 months ago - solely in his name, although we have agreement legally when sold i get 50% of any profits.

He has moved out as he cant afford to pay maintenance and keep the house, he cant sell as negative equity and his mortgage co wont let him let it out.

We have agreed i will stay here with kids for the time being (until such time that either i wanna move out or he can sell or buy to let etc) and he has moved back to his mums, he pays the mortgage instead of maintenance which suits me fine as if i privately rented it would cost £500 pcm and i would get £160 pcm maintenance from him, as it stands i am better of in the current situation.

Now, this is where it gets complex as i have to declare maintenance, but i dont get any as we live in his house rent free whilst he has moved out....what should i declare on the forms under maintenace?

i spoke to LEA who said it is all very comlex and would get back to me, i have been chasing but no one has got back to me in 4 weeks now! Just getting a bit twitchy as i need to know what i will get as things are going to be very tight as it is

thanks

Taiko

If you're going in September, you don't get your support from your LEA.

Contact Student Finance England on 0845 300 5090

angela_2107

Taiko wrote: »

If you're going in September, you don't get your support from your LEA.

Contact Student Finance England on 0845 300 5090

sorry, i wasnt vewry clear- i phoned LEA and they gave me other contact details for student finance, that was the number i rang 2nd time, i assumed it was part of the LEA - im new to all this!!It is student finance i have been speaking to tho! thanks!

Oldernotwiser

As an independent student your income has to be over £60,000 ish for any deductions to be made from your Loan/Grant. Unless you're VERY well paid that doesn't look as if it will be the case.

If you're working over 16 hours and are a lone parent then I think you can also claim WTC. I'd look into that on the Benefits Board.

angela_2107

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

As an independent student your income has to be over £60,000 ish for any deductions to be made from your Loan/Grant. Unless you're VERY well paid that doesn't look as if it will be the case.

If you're working over 16 hours and are a lone parent then I think you can also claim WTC. I'd look into that on the Benefits Board.

Thanks for the info, i have looked at the direct gov site and it shows the same amounts regardless of if i put the mortgage payments down as maintenance! I just feel like its going to be a drawn out process seeing as i live in my ex's house and he doesnt lol!!

Oldernotwiser

angela_2107 wrote: »

Thanks for the info, i have looked at the direct gov site and it shows the same amounts regardless of if i put the mortgage payments down as maintenance! I just feel like its going to be a drawn out process seeing as i live in my ex's house and he doesnt lol!!

That's because you'll still be under the threshold even if it's counted as maintenance. When you come to apply I'd keep it as simple as possible, obviously being truthful though.