Student finance-change of circumstances

princessamy86

I wish I'd known about the stupid rule before I started and I would have held on for another year!! I just find it ridiculous that they are so inflexible to people's circumstances, surely not everyone's parents just support them financially through their whole uni course? I've worked so hard not to go into debt beyond my loans, and now it's looking like I'll have to undo all the good work in my final year as I just won't get the same maintenance loan that I have been getting. They're quick enough to re-assess parent's income and make changes accordingly! :mad:

Taiko

Just to clarify on the marriage thing, you must be married before the 1st September for the relevent academic year to qualify as independent. It would mean you can become independent by this later on in the course. This is within The Student Support Regulations. Unfortunately, the bit from the St Helen's website is just slightly wrong about it.

If you can get married before the 1st September 2009 then you will be classed as independent for the 2009/2010 academic year.

The only other ways to be independent is if you are estranged from your parents and this will not change, or if your mother was to die.

princessamy86

There just doesn't seem to be a way round it at all. Not married, so that's not going to change anything.

Oldernotwiser

Taiko wrote: »

Just to clarify on the marriage thing, you must be married before the 1st September for the relevent academic year to qualify as independent. It would mean you can become independent by this later on in the course. This is within The Student Support Regulations. Unfortunately, the bit from the St Helen's website is just slightly wrong about it.

.

Most other LEAs use this information, I just happened to come upon St Helens first. However, if you're sure about this, I'm prepared to stand corrected; it's always good to learn something new. Thanks.

Taiko

100%. It can be found in The Student Support Regulations, Schedule 4 Paragraph 2.1B.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080529_en_17#sch4

princesspinchie

The Student Loan company just defy logic on many issues and I've found them rude and unhelpful over the phone, so I sympathise!

Fire_Fox

princessamy86 wrote: »

But why should my mum be expected to support me? She can't afford to help anyway, I have 3 younger sisters who all still live at home and she's hardly a millionaire. I really object to my stepdad's wage being used-he has never and will never contribute towards anything for me, why should he?!? I'm 22, I should be able to stand on my own 2 feet, earn my own wage and have my loans assessed accordingly. Most unfair flippin system ever!

Or conversely why should the taxpayer be expected to support you? That isn't standing on your own two feet! You have chosen to take on a mortgage, which is impressive at your time of life, but why should the taxpayer help fund it?

Your mum chose to give birth to each of her children and chose to get married to your stepdad - grants are in place for those whose circumstances are unavoidable. If your mum cannot afford to help then you will get a full maintenance grant: your siblings will be taken into account I believe. Your stepdad's wage is used as they are a permanent couple - your mum is expected to support you and your stepdad support your mum if necessary. In effect he is helping support your sisters by allowing them to live in the home that he contributes to.

princessamy86

Oh Firefox-lol! How is the taxpayer supporting me if I am getting loans? I will be paying them back! They are income assessed, that's why it's annoying. I don't get help from mum as they can't afford to give it. Also my stepdad wouldn't help me out anyway. Yes a grant would be helpful, but getting £500 as a loan for the entire term is ridiculous! Btw, I work 4 days a week, I AM a taxpayer!

Fire_Fox

princessamy86 wrote: »

Oh Firefox-lol! How is the taxpayer supporting me if I am getting loans? I will be paying them back! They are income assessed, that's why it's annoying. I don't get help from mum as they can't afford to give it. Also my stepdad wouldn't help me out anyway. Yes a grant would be helpful, but getting £500 as a loan for the entire term is ridiculous! Btw, I work 4 days a week, I AM a taxpayer!

It's effectively a no-interest loan, because you pay back no more than the rate of inflation. The loan is often not paid back at all - if you don't regularly earn over £15k (work part-time after having family), become incapacitated, or just written off after 25 years.

Why are you only getting £1500 a year?? The non-income assessed maintenance loan is 75% of maximum, about £3000 if you are living away from home outside London. Are you filling in the forms for income-assessed when you know you aren't eligible?

I don't mean to be rude, but I don't understand why you can't live on your wages, loan and student overdraft if you work four days a week in term-time. You are exempt from council tax and are entitled to discounted public transport. Students are generally far better off than the average person living on a minimum wage salary or Jobseekers Allowance.

Have you considered filling in a Statement of Affairs (sticky on DFW board) and posting that up for comments? They are a pretty straight talking but very caring bunch, and should be able to help you find a way to make a little more wiggle room in your budget. :money:

princessamy86

I don't have an overdraft, they fill me with horror! I don't think they'll find any wiggle room in the budget-we were ok until OH got made redundant. Can't get discounted transport as I have to get to uni for 9am, so my railcard isn't applicable! It just sucks finding out that I can't support myself even though I work hard, sorry for having a moan I was just annoyed! Guess I'll have to put up and shut up, suppose it's only another year :rolleyes: