When does the academic year start?

foolofbeans

My eldest has applied for student finance as an independent student as they will be 25 on 4th September. SLC have now said that the academic year starts on 1st September and therefore they will only be 24 so don't class as an independent student.

I can't find anywhere that defines the academic year start date on SLC. The university states their academic year starts on 18th September for 2018-19.

Any advice?

agrinnall

See Note 2 on Page 4.


http://media.slc.co.uk/sfe/1819/ft/sfe_how_you_are_assessed_and_paid_guide_1819_o.pdf

Spendless

Would they not qualify under the 'supported themselves for at least 3 years'? I've no idea what criteria is used to determine this.


https://www.ucas.com/finance/student-finance-england/finance-independent-students

t_savez

I imagine the SLC say 1st of Sept due to range of start dates across the UK and need to release funds before the course start.



But the actual start date is the 18th!

sheramber

t_savez wrote: »

I imagine the SLC say 1st of Sept due to range of start dates across the UK and need to release funds before the course start.



But the actual start date is the 18th!

Course start date is 18th
Academic year start date os 1st

silvercar

There is a logic to this, in that the school year cohort is for all pupils born from 1 September to 31 August. So having a 1 September cut off puts everyone in the same school year in the same situation.