Parental Income - Stocks and Shares ISA Dividends

BWR1

Hello.  Do dividends received from a Stock and Shares ISA have to be declared as parental income for the purposes of the Maintenance Loan? It's clear that interest on cash ISAs isn't included but nothing is mentioned re S&S ISA dividends. Thanks.

tacpot12

It seems that they have to be declared as income. My source is this document: 

PN1 Notes - Notes to help you complete your application for student fnance (publishing.service.gov.uk)

In the section 12, part a specifically mentions tax-exempt savings accounts that pay interest. Part c does not have that same provision. If this is going to make a big difference to you, and you want to check and get a definite answer that you can rely on, contact Student Finance England and get them to email you the answer.  Note that I'm not sure on the extent that you can rely on the advice. If an error has been made, the rules may allow them to work the award to the student, but at least with something in writing you can argue about that.  

kaMelo

BWR1 said:

Hello.  Do dividends received from a Stock and Shares ISA have to be declared as parental income for the purposes of the Maintenance Loan? It's clear that interest on cash ISAs isn't included but nothing is mentioned re S&S ISA dividends. Thanks.

Household income to be declared with regard to student loans means any and all taxable household income. That obviously means earned income but it also includes taxable benefits, savings interest and dividends etc. 
However, any savings interest or dividend income that stays within an ISA wrapper is not taxable therefore not declared as household income in regard to student loans.

BWR1

Many thanks to both respondents.  I have since looked at the Gov.uk site regarding student finance applications (can't post link) and it specifically refers to declaring 'taxable' income.   I'm going to work on the assumption that because the ISA dividends are not taxable they do not need to be included.  Either way I'm hoping I'm in the clear because even if I do include them I'm still just under the £25,000 threshold.  I may have more of an issue next year though! Thanks again.