Partners income in applying for a maintenance loan

JamboJambo

I have been living with my partner for just over a year. She is on minimum wage, I am fortunate that I earn enough that our combined incomes take us to the point where her son who hopes to go to Uni next September will only qualify for the minimum maintenance loan.

His father is also a high earner but has said that he will not contribute to any living costs while at Uni.

While it might seem like we are well off, I have other financial commitments and provide support to my adult son who is struggling to meet his rent. If I also have to help fund the gap between the minimum and maximum maintenance grant that will be financially difficult.

Will the loan folk take into account the short nature of this relationship and the fact that I don't think I should be paying for my partner's son's living costs while at Uni, his mum can't and his dad won't,  and after consideration offer him the full maintenance loan?

 

silvercar

You are caught in a trap. The income of the household that the student lives is used to assess student loans. So if your partner's son lives with you then it is your income and your partner's that is considered. 

Will the loan folk take into account the short nature of this relationship and the fact that I don't think I should be paying for my partner's son's living costs while at Uni, his mum can't and his dad won't,  and after consideration offer him the full maintenance loan?

The problem is that the rules mean that your income will be included, even if you don't think you should be paying. Only way round it is to not be living with your partner or for her son to be living with his father.