Unable to get maintenance grant

stevie1708

Hi,

I have been accepted for the maintenance loan of 3,575 and the tuition fee loan to cover the costs of my course, but as I haven't earnt over 7,500 for 3 years in a row I can't be classed as independent and my parents earn too much for me to qualify for the maintenance grant if their income is assessed.

I am 24 years old this year (before the start of the course) so it seems really bad that I'm still being asked for details of my parents income.

The loan as it is will just about cover my accommodation fees, and though I plan on finding work when I move there it isn't guaranteed that I will be able to find any, and I was wondering if there was any further help that I could find, or if i could appeal for the maintenance grant and if it would be worth doing so, on the grounds that I am 24 and have either been working or on benefits since 18 and need this money in order to start my course.

My circumstances: 24 in August, female, will be studying Special Needs Inclusion and Education at Wolverhampton University, and living in student accommodation. I live with parents at the moment and pay board. I'm currently on jobseekers allowance but obviously will be signing off when I begin university.

Really struggling and stressing out about this and will appreciate any help and advice.

Thanks in advance.

Stevie

Taiko

You don't need to have earned over £7500 for 3 years, you just need to demonstrate that you've self-supported for 36 months, that do not have to be consecutive.

Who told you £7,500?

Voyager2002

No need to struggle or get stressed: at least you are getting a decent loan. You will just have to make sure that your parents are aware of the situation and see if they can help.

stevie1708

Taiko wrote: »

You don't need to have earned over £7500 for 3 years, you just need to demonstrate that you've self-supported for 36 months, that do not have to be consecutive.

Who told you £7,500?

I rang student finance 10 times over last two weeks. Been told that at least three times

stevie1708

Voyager2002 wrote: »

No need to struggle or get stressed: at least you are getting a decent loan. You will just have to make sure that your parents are aware of the situation and see if they can help.

My parents can't help me out, and really shouldn't have to at my age. Thanks for your reply though.

Taiko

Ok, the regulations are quite clear that you just need to demonstrate you've supported yourself, and they do not specify the threshold.

There's an FOI request I did a few years back that confirmed this guidance didn't exist, apparently.

Will check the new regs to see if anything has changed, but it should just be a caseof you demonstrating how you supported yourself. Were you renting or anything?

stevie1708

Taiko wrote: »

Ok, the regulations are quite clear that you just need to demonstrate you've supported yourself, and they do not specify the threshold.

There's an FOI request I did a few years back that confirmed this guidance didn't exist, apparently.

Will check the new regs to see if anything has changed, but it should just be a caseof you demonstrating how you supported yourself. Were you renting or anything?

No I pay bond to my parents, there have been times when I have rented though at one point I rented for about 5/6 months and housing benefits, and another time just for one month as a house share. Thanks so much for your help.

Taiko

How much were you paying them?
What other outgoings did you have?
How long were you claiming any benefits? Be that housing, JSA etc

stevie1708

Taiko wrote: »

How much were you paying them?
What other outgoings did you have?
How long were you claiming any benefits? Be that housing, JSA etc

Sorry for late response been out. For the rented flat I was on housing benefits and the rent was approximately 300 per month. It's hard to remember exactly as it was 2010, but I think I paid about 30 on electric a month and gas and water was included in the price. For the shared house it was the same £300 but electricity gas water etc was included. When I've been living at home I pay £30 per week board to my parents.

Erm I've been claiming benefits on and off since I was 18, I've been claiming jobseekers allowance since August last year.

Taiko

Best recommendation I can give to you then would be to get in touch with HMRC. Ask them to provide you with a statement of earnings for each year since you were 18. If possible, would help if they could break down the periods you claimed any benefits as well.

Might still get the grant without parents income yet, just depends if the periods add up.

stevie1708

Taiko wrote: »

Best recommendation I can give to you then would be to get in touch with HMRC. Ask them to provide you with a statement of earnings for each year since you were 18. If possible, would help if they could break down the periods you claimed any benefits as well.

Might still get the grant without parents income yet, just depends if the periods add up.

Thank you so much for your help! I'll try that.