How long do I have to pay maintainance for

Oldernotwiser

Whilst taking a year out of education can seem appealing, you need to be aware that free education stops at 19, so it can lead to problems if that year should extend longer, or more than 1 course be needed after returning. There's no mention here of EMA; do you have it in Scotland?

TheWaltons_3

vix2000 wrote: »

I thought maintenance was to contribute to all aspects of the costs of bringing up a child. while they're living at home there are the bills, food and other household expenses. I don't understand the reluctance to contribute to that.

But if he's not at school - his maintenance will stop anyway.. so why not give it to the lad? The Dad is still doing his bit and the Mother isn't losing out.. because she wouldn't be getting it to begin with.

What's the problem with that?

parkside_stroller

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Whilst taking a year out of education can seem appealing, you need to be aware that free education stops at 19, so it can lead to problems if that year should extend longer, or more than 1 course be needed after returning. There's no mention here of EMA; do you have it in Scotland?

Yes we have EMA and they are extending the scheme gradually but I think my ex and her husband earn too much for my son to qualify (same goes for me and my wife).
From the website (link below) "If your family income is less than £31,528 you qualify for an EMA, providing you meet the other eligibility requirements i.e. age and residency".

I think this is a pre-tax figure and although I don't know their income, I would be surprised if it fell below that.

Here is a link to the Scottish Education Maintainance Allowance website if anyone reading this is interested in finding out more with regard to their own circumstances.

As for the free education finishing at 19 years old - I'm aware of this and I did mention it to my son. I suppose it might be best if he continues in full time education of some sort for the next year but I feel that whatever he is doing it is best if it is something that he is actually gaining something from. The idea of wasting a year doing something he doesn't want to do and failing exams at the end of it would be the worst case scenario in my mind.

As I think I said before though, I don't see him working for a year as being a waste of time but of course the free education finishing at 19 years perhaps needs a bit more consideration by my son and I.
It's quite possible that his mother has already given a lot of thought to this but I'm keeping my head down for a week or so as she nearly blew a gasket when she heard he was taking a day of school to go to careers advice (I just thought he was being responsible).

Having read through some of the comments on this thread, maybe I should clarify that I'm not reluctant to pay maintainance, I am reluctant to see my son backed into a corner and to feel that I am part of that by financially supporting that situation.

My ex could have any number of things driving her position on this and she may even be right but it unusual to say the least for us to be poles apart on something regarding our son.

There are no easy answers to this situation and I am glad that there are a range of opinions coming through - gives me some food for thought.

missylou_2

Hi,

ot sure if this is of any interest to you but am pretty sure the rules on education are different in Scotland.

NC level courses are dealt with at college level and usually come with a means tested bursary regardless of the student's age, there are very few instances where the student would ever be liable for the fees.

Higher level courses (HNC, and above) are slightly different as he is unlikely to receive any maintainance grant. However students apply to the SAAS for their fees to be paid regardless of their age, and unless they have already received funding for previous study at this level I beleive that they will cover the cost of the course.

est advised to check a few local college/university websites to be sure though!

parkside_stroller

missylou wrote: »

Hi,

ot sure if this is of any interest to you but am pretty sure the rules on education are different in Scotland.

NC level courses are dealt with at college level and usually come with a means tested bursary regardless of the student's age, there are very few instances where the student would ever be liable for the fees.

Higher level courses (HNC, and above) are slightly different as he is unlikely to receive any maintainance grant. However students apply to the SAAS for their fees to be paid regardless of their age, and unless they have already received funding for previous study at this level I beleive that they will cover the cost of the course.

est advised to check a few local college/university websites to be sure though!

Thanks for this one. It is this kind of detail that is very relevant when it comes to my son's circumstances. He has been advised to look into this through college/universities by Careers Scotland and it is definitely good from my point of view to have some idea how he would be fixed financially if he applies for a bursary or mainainance grant.

I think I'll be checking this out too.

missylou_2

No problem at all after all we are all here to help and support each other wherever possible!

Hope it all works out well for your son whatever he decides to do, though am sure it will with a Dad as caring and supportive as you are!