Help needed as estranged from parents

crystyl

Hi, can anyone give me some advise please?

A friend of mine is estranged from their parents for just over a month now. Their parents refused to give their income details for this year and played mary hell last year resulting in my friend only having the basic loans etc - where they should have been entitled to alot more ie, maintainance loan etc as the parents are on a low income.

So where do they stand with trying to get their entitlement sorted out, as technically they are independant but haven't been for the past three and a half years. My friend can just about afford to pay for rent but nothing else! Which is a worse than last year as they now have to go into private rented - halls only being available for the first years.

Can anyone offer some help please?

Taiko

Friend is not independent as defined within The Student Support Regulations, and therefore is only entitled to the basic amounts.

crystyl

That's as much as we thought but thanks for the reply.

Kajimba

Have you asked your university finance officer if there's anything available from a hardship fund?

Private rented is cheaper than halls in many places, particularly if you look for something a little further from campus.

There's also the option of changing from full-time to part-time enrollment.

Good luck!

amiehall

Taiko wrote: »

Friend is not independent as defined within The Student Support Regulations, and therefore is only entitled to the basic amounts.

This isn't necessarily true. It does depend on the relationship specifics. If there's a reasonable belief that you're permanently estranged then you can be reassessed as independent. The permanence is the key. If your friend is sure that this is more than just a row then they should write this on the form in the relevant section or phone student finance for advice.

Oldernotwiser

amiehall wrote: »

This isn't necessarily true. It does depend on the relationship specifics. If there's a reasonable belief that you're permanently estranged then you can be reassessed as independent. The permanence is the key. If your friend is sure that this is more than just a row then they should write this on the form in the relevant section or phone student finance for advice.

Far more is required than just the student's say so or everybody would be doing this! Evidence is required from an independent person such as a social worker, for example.

busiscoming2

Just a thought, but do the parents actually realise their 'child' doesn't have to know their income details. Perhaps they think he/she will see their income details on the form?

Taiko

amiehall wrote: »

This isn't necessarily true. It does depend on the relationship specifics. If there's a reasonable belief that you're permanently estranged then you can be reassessed as independent. The permanence is the key. If your friend is sure that this is more than just a row then they should write this on the form in the relevant section or phone student finance for advice.

Just as an insight, I've turned down stronger cases as an assessor. I would not even consider this, in fact I'd probably make an aeroplane from the letter telling me about this.

msmyth18

The uni finance office or student support should be able to help there are hardship funds and free advice for complex situations such as this

crystyl

Sorry for the late reply, thanks for all the advise.

SF have said it needs to be a solicitors or social worker who can clarify that the position in order to be classed independant.

If changing from full time to part time no funding is available so potentially in a worse position?

We will be contacing the Uni about the hardship fund.

Thanks again for all the help :T

Oldernotwiser

crystyl wrote: »

If changing from full time to part time no funding is available so potentially in a worse position?
T

People studying part time support themselves by working, although a fee grant is available for those on low incomes.