Student Finance won't help me out when I need it?

Jlawson118

I'm in my second year of university now and I get the absolute bare minimum maintenance loan from student finance as my step-dad refuses to fill in his financial information.

I know they work it out from your household income and I completely understand that, last year wasn't too bad, but this year, I've been back at university for just over a month and I'm already down to £50 in my bank account literally, after buying everything I need for university.

I'm starting a little Christmas temp job in a few weeks, and I'm grateful for it really otherwise I would be screwed. I know my grandparents and mum would help me out if need be but I don't want to be taking money from them, and my grandma has spent enough on me as it is this year. She also has a savings account for me but I shouldn't have to take money out of there either. I never have done previously.

Anyway, I contacted Student Finance a few weeks ago, the guy on the phone told me to print off a form, get my mum to fill in her details and get my step dad to write a letter in informing that he is unable to support me. So I did just that, I received a letter this morning saying they still need his financial details.

After losing his job, he isn't on that much of a stable income and therefore refuses to fill in this form, therefore I am struggling now. And after I made a phone call today to student finance trying to explain to them that I'm struggling, I can see he feels guilty but I know he still won't do anything about it. It seems like nobody at student finance wants to help me with this either..

Any advice?

missbiggles1

If you don't want to ask your mother for help as would normally be the case, I think your best bet is to use your savings. It isn't student finance's responsibility to lend you money which you aren't eligible for, even if you are short.

beckstar1975

I am afraid if you can't get him to fill in the form then you can g no further with SF. I don't think you could apply to your uni's hardship fund until you can prove you have exhausted all other avenues first, and they may feel you haven't due to the above.

Can you not just explain to him that you are totally skint without him doing this? It does seem rather selfish of him to be stuffing you up like this.

sheramber

Student Finance are bound by the regulations laid down by the Government.

They cannot choose to support someone outside these regulations.

silvercar

You need to persuade your step-dad to fill in the forms.

Bogalot

Even if he is unable to support you, that doesn't stop him completing the form. Does he understand that giving his details does not compel him to support you? What it does do is enable you to get some support.

[Deleted User]

You expect SF to give you money without fulfilling there obligations to the government and tax payer! Your stepdad could have a £1m job and you could be trying to screw the system.

Jlawson118

Bogalot wrote: »

Even if he is unable to support you, that doesn't stop him completing the form. Does he understand that giving his details does not compel him to support you? What it does do is enable you to get some support.

he refuses to fill in the form simply because he doesn't quite know what he's earning himself. He lost his job

Jlawson118

beckstar1975 wrote: »

I am afraid if you can't get him to fill in the form then you can g no further with SF. I don't think you could apply to your uni's hardship fund until you can prove you have exhausted all other avenues first, and they may feel you haven't due to the above.

Can you not just explain to him that you are totally skint without him doing this? It does seem rather selfish of him to be stuffing you up like this.

Applying for the hardship fund was my next step actually.. I could tell he was feeling guilty over this yesterday so he might do something about it or help me out himself. He originally agreed at the beginning of when I started university that due to this, he would try to support me, and he gives my mum extra money towards the bills so that I don't have to worry about that.

But last year, it was costing me £84 a month in bus fares, and I remember towards the end of the first semester last year, I struggled a little, but not this bad. But this year I'm driving because buses are unreliable, and well that is costing me £30/£40 per week, so it's just costs for me are double, and buying food for lunch is adding up, just everything has gone up in price. So I'm grateful for this part time job, I was hoping to save some of it up but I guess that'll have to wait

missbiggles1

Jlawson118 wrote: »

Applying for the hardship fund was my next step actually.. :( I could tell he was feeling guilty over this yesterday so he might do something about it or help me out himself. He originally agreed at the beginning of when I started university that due to this, he would try to support me, and he gives my mum extra money towards the bills so that I don't have to worry about that.

But last year, it was costing me £84 a month in bus fares, and I remember towards the end of the first semester last year, I struggled a little, but not this bad. But this year I'm driving because buses are unreliable, and well that is costing me £30/£40 per week, so it's just costs for me are double, and buying food for lunch is adding up, just everything has gone up in price. So I'm grateful for this part time job, I was hoping to save some of it up but I guess that'll have to wait

How can you even consider taking money from the hardship fund when you admit you have savings?

Bogalot

Jlawson118 wrote: »

he refuses to fill in the form simply because he doesn't quite know what he's earning himself. He lost his job

Then he explains that. He gives figures for last year and explains his income will be much lower this year, and estimates accordingly.

He's not the first person that finds himself in this situation. I don't understand why he is being so difficult.