Help with student finance- needed!

student19_2

I am a undergraduate going to university in september 2012. I am loaning the tuition fees (£8, 500) and part of my living costs (part is a grant.) After applying for this a family member has offered to give me £5, 000 to help with my studies. Do I have to declare this to student finance? Also, is it better to take this off what I'm borrowing, or use it as extra cash as my money for living expenses isn't that good? Help needed

SuperHan

You don't have to declare it. It should fall under parental/family support, which you're expected to get anyway.

And I wouldn't take it off your loan amount. I'd put it in to savings and then you can dip in to it if you need it, but it'll stop you being tempted just to splurge it all!