Student Finance Grant

his_wife

HI, I am pretty new to these boards,although a long time lurker, my son is in his second year of a uni course. Last year he claimed as an independant adult, producing three years of P60s , he is 21 by the way.

He was told that only one year had to be for £7,500 or more to qualify for grants. After he produced every document asked for he qualified for maximum grant.

This year when he has applied for his second year of grants, and again producing the same three p60s, he has had two letters sent out stating that he wasnt entitled to any of the grants and can they have a cheque for £5,790 return of post please.

We are a step family supporting 6/7 people, and slf are now saying we have to support my son till he is 25, and that they want all the grant money back as he wasnt entitled to it. Can someone please advise me on what to do next please, as we are barely making ends meet now.

thanks in advance

Oldernotwiser

You do not have to support him, many parents don't, but he will need to be looking for a part time job to make up the difference between the money he was getting last year and the money he's getting this.

It's difficult to see how someone of 20 could have been self supporting for 3 years before going to university.

Mankysteve

Hs been living by him self for three years. with absolutely no support from yourselfs. If he hasn't then hes wrongly claimed to a Independent student of course there going to want the money back. There not a lot you can do about expect arrange a debt repayment plan.

Oldernotwiser

Mankysteve wrote: »

Hs been living by him self for three years. with absolutely no support from yourselfs. If he hasn't then hes wrongly claimed to a Independent student of course there going to want the money back. There not a lot you can do about expect arrange a debt repayment plan.

He does not need to have been living away fro the family home but he needs to have been out of education and supporting himself (by earnings or benefits) during that period.

his_wife

he hasnt been living away from home, he left school at 16, went to college for a year, then got a job for the following three years , inbetween he had a few spells of unemployment , before deciding to go to uni, he was told as long as he had proof of supporting hisself for three years he would qualify for student grants. Which he did by producing p60s.

I dont understand how after providing all information, they want the grant back, and are now saying i have to support him till he is 25, when physically i cant, i dont want him to waste his life by not going to uni, but it may look that way due to lack of money, he is also looking for a part time job.

Thank you all for your help

Taiko

Indeed. Although if they have previously made the judgement in the first year that he was independent, they should not then revoke this in a subsequent year as a student deemed independent by means of self-support retains that status for the full duration of the course (Schedule 4, Paragraph 2(1)(k) of The Education (Student Support) Regulations 2009).

MrsManda

As ONW said you don't necessarily have to support him by giving him any money whilst at university. Many parents don't and students rely on a part-time job and learn to budget.

He may still be eligible for grants but this will need to be assessed on your household income. You will need to provide information on your household income - you fill this out yourself so he doesn't need to know the details of this income.

As ONW also said, it's difficult to see how he could possibly have been classed as independent on the details you've given. The guidance for who classifies as an independent can be found on page 22 in the document 'how you are assessed and paid' which can be found on the direct.gov website HERE

To be classed as an independent student on the basis of supporting yourself it states:

• You have supported yourself for at least three years before the start of the academic year ofyour course. This includes any time when you:
- Were in paid full-time employment;

- Received Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance or other state benefit paid to a person who is available for employment but is unemployed, or registered for unemployment;

- Received any pension, allowance or other benefit by reason of a disability to which you are subject or by any reason of confinement, sickness or illness; or

- Received training under any scheme for the unemployed or other funding by any state authority or agency.


If you are claiming to be an independent student because you have supported yourself for three years or more, you must provide evidence to show how you have supported yourself. If you have been working or claiming benefits, you must provide written confirmation of this. Acceptable proof includes your P60s or letters from employers confirming the dates you worked there and your
levels of earnings. For periods where you have claimed benefits, you should ask your local Jobcentre Plus office for a letter to confirm the
dates you claimed benefit and the type of benefit received.

Oldernotwiser

Most people would need 2 years of post 16 education to get into university but if they have accepted him with only a one year course then obviously he could have worked for three.

It does sound strange that they have changed their mind about their decision, but even if it isn't resolved satisfactorily, it really isn't for you to support him, so don't worry about this.

his_wife

thanks again, for your help, my biggest problem is they are asking for money back return of post or at end of this years course . either way we do not have the money to pay back in a lump sum. will they accept small monthly payments since he is currently seeking part time work, and i dont have any spare money whatsoever.

Taiko

I'll send you a PM in a bit, see if I can take the case on and get resolved.

his_wife

My son , has now had his student loan notification saying he qualifies for a loan of £2,860 a year, he got his first payment paid in bank over week end, which was £306 pounds, when he phoned them up, they told him they have taken the rest off him, to pay back the overpayment of the grant. I am fuming, how on earth is he supposed to manage on £306 pounds for a year, and how am i supposed to keep him when i am struggling to keep the rest of my family.

There is no incentive whatsoever, for him to better hisself.