Credit Cards with a PhD stipend

hl254

I'm finding it very frustrating that there's no official way for me to input my PhD stipend as income for a credit card form since it's not taxable.
They all say to exclude grants and bursaries but a stipend is very different to that.
Any advice on ways to get it included/ how to explain to the bank?

Nebulous2

Computerised systems, be they in credit, insurance or anything else, simply don't cover every eventuality. That's the time when it makes sense to speak to a human being.

Make an appointment at your own bank, go through your circumstances with an adviser, and that will give you a better chance of getting a card.

chattychappy

Personally I would treat it as a normal income. When computerised systems don't cover all eventualities, I don't think it dishonest to choose the most appropriate answer to fit the facts. Since you say it is "very different" to the categories that must be excluded, I wouldn't worry - put it as income. I'm pretty sure that recent applications I've made just ask for "income".

I agree with Nebulous2 in principle, IF you can get through to a real human being that would be a solution...

Many years ago, I applied for an M&S store card (in the days before they accepted CCs) in a shop. The woman went through the questions many times, honing answers before getting acceptance. The problem was that my income as a self-employed person was high enough, but they didn't seem to like self-employed people. On the other hand I was a company director, but unpaid in that capacity. They liked directors, but not my zero income that went with it. She linked my income to the directorship to "fix" matters.

Whatever you decide, don't change your mind on further applications. If you send in multiple applications with different facts, you can get a marker at NHunter.

theburningcat

I had the same concern when I started my PhD. I received a £16000pa tax free stipend for what is essentially a full time job. I settled on the conclusion that saying that I was employed full time as a Research Assistant was the closest I'd get to the truth with online forms and if they queries it, I'd write a letter and enclose proof of the stipend.

When I tried to explain the situation to an adviser, they generally just got confused. I don't think that route will make things any easier for you.

Just be careful not to change your interpretation of your own situation.