Married student help

c.cam108

Hi all

I am studying at university in Scotland and have recently got married (21st August) so am now living away from home with my new wife, so was expecting greater help from SAAS or the SLC towards living costs.

I started to apply to SAAS a few months ago but was told that my support was based on my circumstances as of the 1st of August (ie living with parents and single) so would only be entitled to fairly low support with parental income taken into account. My student union advised me to apply after the wedding so they would take my current circumstances into account but, having attempted this now, I have been told again that it is still based on the 1st of August.

This means that I am only entitled to around £140 a month, rather than around £500 as I was expecting, which is a major blow as my wife has no income at the moment (student nurse taking a year out and starting back in January). Is there any other help I can apply for? Or is there any way I can convince SAAS to give me the higher level of support I need.

Thanks

Colin C

my_definition

Most universitys have hardship funds which you can apply for when you start back. It involves filling out all incoming income and outgoings and then pleading poverty in the additional information bit. They (generally) ask for proof of rent costs or mortgage and bank statements for the last 3 months to show youve not got lotsa money hidden. Ive applied several times (engaged and living together) and got up to about £600 in a lump sum which you dont pay back.

What uni are you at? strathclyde and glasgow def do this

MrsManda

Did the SAAS say why it's based on your circumstances before the 1st August? Is this when your course started?

The SAAS website states:

If you are married, in a civil partnership or live with a partner

If this is your status before the start of the academic year we are assessing you for, as well as using your own income, we will use the income of your husband, wife, civil partner or partner to assess a contribution they may have to make towards your support.

In their glossary of terms it states:

Academic year

A period of study of 12 months. The exact dates depend on when your course starts