Student finance England, siblings and OU

Indie_Kid

Last year, my sister & I both started uni. Originally, we were awarded full grant plus loan and a few months later, we were given less grant.

I decided that I wouldn't return to uni in September and that I would do OU study. On the student finance forms for parents to fill in, they put on the forms that I was doing OU study.

My parents have earnt less this year than they did the year before. They sent their P60s in.

My sister got her award today and has been awarded less. She'll be in her second year and still living away from home; not in London.

Do student finance take into account other siblings doing open university study? The finance for that is completely different to SFE.

Indie_Kid

Anyone please?

MrsManda

Why were you both given less grant during your first year?
I don't know much about how the applications are assessed so you'll have to wait for confirmation from Taiko or Student_advisor but if you are over 18 and not in full time education (how many units are you taking this year? I not sure whether OU study ever counts as full time) then it may be that you not a dependent child for the purposes of your sister's application.

But like I said, I've only replied because you seem desperate for an answer, you'll need to ask someone who works on assessments to be certain

Indie_Kid

I have no idea why we were given less grant. Originally, we were given full grant. I was then reassessed because I was meant to be given special support grant. Then in November, we received letters saying we would be getting less grant.

newmum1

Hi Ive done OU study but I wouldn'e have thought it would count due to the fact that its distance learning and really you can be employed while in OU study. Why did have to be put on the form, are you a dependent?

Indie_Kid

newmum1 wrote: »

Hi Ive done OU study but I wouldn'e have thought it would count due to the fact that its distance learning and really you can be employed while in OU study. Why did have to be put on the form, are you a dependent?

Yes I am a dependent.

Oldernotwiser

sh1305 wrote: »

Yes I am a dependent.

Why are you are a dependent? You must be at leat 20 and are claiming (or eligible to claim) benefits in your own right.

I agree that I can't see any reason that someone studying part time with the OU should be taken into account for SLC finance.

MrsManda

The Student Finance guide 2010/11 states:

'If you have a brother, sister or parent who is also receiving student support... that in normal circumstances the contribution will be split'

But it goes on to mention Student Finance England and the LEA and I don't think either of these organisations are involved in assessing and providing the financial support for the OU as the OU provides grants not loans.
Therefore it is possible that the fact you are studying at the OU rather than at a physical university means that you are not classed as receiving student support as defined by SFE.
As you are over 18 and not in FT education then there'll be no allowance taken off your parents income for them supporting any other child either.

Again this is just conjecture from what I can see online. Has your sister called student finance england to ask?

MrsManda

sh1305 wrote: »

I have no idea why we were given less grant. Originally, we were given full grant. I was then reassessed because I was meant to be given special support grant. Then in November, we received letters saying we would be getting less grant.

and you didn't query it? Yet you're querying your sister getting less grant now you are no longer a FT student?

sh1305 wrote: »

Yes I am a dependent.

You are only a dependent student in the eyes of SFE if you apply for finance as you are under 25 and have not supported yourself for 3 years. You're not a dependent in terms as being a child financially dependent on your parents as you are over 18 and not in FT education. As ONW said, you are eligible to apply for benefits in your own name so are not dependent on your parents

Indie_Kid

MrsManda wrote: »

You are only a dependent student in the eyes of SFE if you apply for finance as you are under 25 and have not supported yourself for 3 years.

Which is true. I am under 25 and haven't been self-supporting for the last 3 years.

Has your sister called student finance england to ask?

I don't know. Will ask her later. (and call them if she hasn't)

MrsManda

sh1305 wrote: »

Which is true. I am under 25 and haven't been self-supporting for the last 3 years.

I realise that, that's why I said that you're classed as a dependent student if you are applying to SFE for student finance, but you are not classed as a child who is financially dependent on her parents with regards to the SFE assessing your sister's application so if they don't class you as a student there is no allowance for you taken into consideration. Whereas if you were a dependent child and not classed as a student £1130 is taken off your parents income before assessment.