help for a student

princess1984

If I were you I'd reapply for the Access to Learning Fund, the limit is £3,500 per year and if you've already been awarded some funds but your situation has changed then you are able to submit a change of circumstance for them to look at. Remember to include absolutely EVERYTHING that you pay for due to your course, I have included things such as line rental and broadband for study purposes, which is very true.

stephy110288

i'm not estraged from them no... they just dont support me financially because i dont live there. i asked student loans about this and if it could be based on my partners income instead and they said no, and all they could do was a non income assessed loan which would mean no grant, and much less than if its based on my parents.
i will speak to uni about re-assessment of the ALF that might be a good idea thanks for that

tooldle

Does your student union have an adfvice centre? This is exactly the kind of situation they deal with. Bit like CAB, but for students.

GlasweJen

You can only claim to be an independant student if you worked for 3 years prior to commencing study and supported yourself, if you are a parent or if you are estranged from your parents (and can prove it).

As you are none of the above you will not get your grant reconsidered, your only options are the hardship fund, getting a part time job or asking your "partner" to take more financial responsibility for the pair of you while you are looking for work.

stephy110288

Hi thanks but thats the problem as I wrote in my original post. I had a job, I worked 20 hours a week while in uni and full time in the summer. At the moment I am too ill to work and my condition means that I'll be having more surgury soon, and can't work for at the very least 6 weeks after that. as soon as my health improves i have a job to go right back to. I will go and see uni again and see if they will be a bit more helpful thanks for the suggestion toodle

GlasweJen

Hardship fund it is then, if you can get a doctors note (might need to pay) saying that you require surgery and will be unable to work for 6 weeks after this then you'll have a better chance of getting something. On saying that hardship is means tested so they will want to know why your live in partner isn't contributing.

Don't you get statutory sick pay from work?

Oldernotwiser

stephy110288 wrote: »

I worked in a 20k job for 3 years before coming to uni, so I have paid tax,

In that case, what reasons were you given for not being classed as an independent student?