Applying for SF as an individual

MrUniveristy

Hello everyone,

I have come to the forum to seek some advice...

I will shortly begin the fun process of applying for student finance; I will be applying as an individual (to qualify for maintenance grants). I am currently 20 years old and have been working since I was 16 and have been self-sufficient since.

The criteria SFE go by is earning in the region of £7500 for 3 previous tax years prior to commencing study; In my case September 2014.

My history so far:
09/10 tax year - £150
10/11 tax year - £3500
11/12 tax year - £4000 (Was on JSA for a breif period of time)
12/13 tax year - £10500
13/14 currently - £11000
From April 2014 up until I commence study in September 2014 I would have earned £8000+

Will SFE take all of this into concideration and class me as a independant student? I currently have a HP Loan and SF Maintenance Loan itself wouldnt even cover my rent.

Thank you,

MrUniveristy

Lokolo

Working full time? Supporting yourself over those 3 years?

Dunroamin

Were you in full time education for any of those years?

MrUniveristy

Lokolo wrote: »

Working full time? Supporting yourself over those 3 years?

Since 11/12 Tax year I have been FT self sufficient.

Were you in full time education for any of those years?

For these tax years I was in FT education
09/10 tax year - £150
10/11 tax year - £3500

Taiko

Not independent is my belief. What were your living arrangements for those years?

TurnUpForTheBooks_2

You came to this MSE forum for advice, MrUniveristy ? I think you might be in the wrong place, forum-wise, website-wise, and even country-wise.

You sound like you are already above-average accomplished with a real job record spanning some years. That is of course admirable in this climate.

If I were you, I'd use my EU citizenship to go to somewhere they value talent and will educate you for free, and may even pay you a maintenance allowance whilst you are being educated, especially if you show you can hold down a part-time job whilst studying. You won't need to learn a foreign language but it is an ideal opportunity to do so. It is quite likely you will then land a job upon graduation with a decent graduate salary not the pittances many recent UK graduates have to accept.

Oh and their first thought in Europe WILL NOT be to try to shackle you to your parent's finances. You are 20 years old.

Good luck.

amiehall

When you say self-sufficient, for example where were you living year 11/12? Because that is NOT enough money to survive on. Were you genuinely self-supporting that year? Like is there some JSA, housing benefit and council tax benefit on top of that amount? Or were you living at home being subsidised by your parents?

If I were in your situation, I would maybe stick in my job one further year, pay off my loan and apply for uni next year when there could be no dispute about my independent status.

MrUniveristy

amiehall wrote: »

When you say self-sufficient, for example where were you living year 11/12? Because that is NOT enough money to survive on. Were you genuinely self-supporting that year? Like is there some JSA, housing benefit and council tax benefit on top of that amount? Or were you living at home being subsidised by your parents?

If I were in your situation, I would maybe stick in my job one further year, pay off my loan and apply for uni next year when there could be no dispute about my independent status.

Thank you for your reply.

From year 11/12 I was working abroad with Canvas holidays and Alfresco holidays. My wages were around £500 per month but that included my rent (mobile home). When the contract ended I claimed JSA for a short while.

Hope this gives you some clarification. I can't miss this opportunity to go next year.

Thank you,

TurnUpForTheBooks_2

Anyone still want to insist this young person is not financially independent ?

Won't someone show the OP how to press his case to SFE with the least fuss please?

Dunroamin

MrUniveristy wrote: »

Thank you for your reply.

From year 11/12 I was working abroad with Canvas holidays and Alfresco holidays. My wages were around £500 per month but that included my rent (mobile home). When the contract ended I claimed JSA for a short while.

Hope this gives you some clarification. I can't miss this opportunity to go next year.

Thank you,

Presumably you were only working abroad for the summer season (5/6 months?) so I think it may come down to how you managed financially for the rest of that year. Did you leave school in summer 2011 and for how long were you claiming JSA?

Taiko

I'm still not convinced, to be honest. Hopefully the replies to mine and Dunroamin's questions will provide further clarity.