Appealing against Student Finance decision

Deverell2

My partner and I split up and I moved to London and now work there as well. As the relationship was not great, we decided to part ways, but have not officially separated, because I cant afford the costs. I now have a flat in London and work in London. My ex-partner still lives in the marriage home and I don't mind that.


My son applied for student finance for 2016/17 to study at Leeds University and he rightly provided the mother's income details because that is where he lives. I made an error and sent in my details in to Student Finance even though I was not contacted by them. This has meant the student finance England withdrew their original offer of support and reduced the award to basic amount.


What rights do I have to appeal and should it be me or my son who makes the appeal. What evidence could I realistically provide to enable them reverse their decision. As I am sharing a flat with 2 others and the rent is all inclusive.


Has anyone succeeded in a similar appeal ?


Thanks

Ed-1

Deverell2 wrote: »

My partner and I split up and I moved to London and now work there as well. As the relationship was not great, we decided to part ways, but have not officially separated, because I cant afford the costs. I now have a flat in London and work in London. My ex-partner still lives in the marriage home and I don't mind that.


My son applied for student finance for 2016/17 to study at Leeds University and he rightly provided the mother's income details because that is where he lives. I made an error and sent in my details in to Student Finance even though I was not contacted by them. This has meant the student finance England withdrew their original offer of support and reduced the award to basic amount.


What rights do I have to appeal and should it be me or my son who makes the appeal. What evidence could I realistically provide to enable them reverse their decision. As I am sharing a flat with 2 others and the rent is all inclusive.


Has anyone succeeded in a similar appeal ?


Thanks

SFE have to follow the Student Support regulations which are set by Government. They have very little discretion on awarding support. If the student is entitled under the regulations, they will be awarded it. The purpose of an appeal is to challenge SFE's assessment under the regulations. It's not to appeal for more support based on particular circumstances or hardship - if SFE have assessed an application incorrectly or misinterpreted correct information - then an appeal will be successful. Otherwise it won't.

So what do the regulations say about marital status? They say that, where a student's parents are separated, the assessment will be based on the parent (and a relevant partner of that parent if applicable) that the student has most contact with (e.g. lives with).

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance/parents-and-partners

If the student and parent both declare that parent's marital status is separated in order for the assessment to be based on that parent's income alone (for the 2014/15 tax year), SFE require the following evidence of marital status:

(A photocopy of)

• Decree Absolute; or
• Civil partnership dissolution order; or
• Letter from a solicitor confirming marital status; or
• Council Tax bill showing the single occupancy discount (as evidence you’re separated).

The student will need to write a cover letter to SFE giving their customer reference number and briefly explaining the circumstances (which parent they have most contact with) and providing the proof of parent's marital status needed above and SFE will correctly reassess the application.