Parental Contribution to Daughter's university loan.

moiramacfarlane

We live in Scotland.
Our daughter, aged 20, has just finished college for the third year, studying Highers so as to get into university. (she failed the first two times so we have our fingers crossed this time)

My question is, how much can we expect the Student loan company to ask from us towards her further education?

I am asking because, between us, my husband and I only earn around 20 000 a year, and, while we manage fine on this, and do not ask anything from the government, I am concerned that the other (three) children are not put at a disadvantage compared to their big sister, as if we have to contribute yet more towards her, there will be a definite drop in the standard of living for the rest of them.

Should one not be more independent at 20/21? She has told us - kindly, not as part of an argument- that we are expected to do this, and I am very worried, and a bit resentful of this

Can anyone clarify what our position is please?

Thank you

dmg24

http://www.student-support-saas.gov.uk/

Assuming it is the same in Scotland as in England, a student is independent once they have been financially independent for three years, or they are 25.

You should think yourself lucky, at least you don't have to pay fees.

moiramacfarlane

dmg24 wrote: »

http://www.student-support-saas.gov.uk/

Assuming it is the same in Scotland as in England, a student is independent once they have been financially independent for three years, or they are 25.

You should think yourself lucky, at least you don't have to pay fees.

Thank you for your reply.

We _do_ "count ourselves lucky" we don't have to pay fees, but that's no reason not to want to know what our situation is viz a viz our expected contribution to her finances.
Was there something wrong with my posting?

whatatwit

You might get more replies on the student board, which is further down the main forum page.
I personally have no idea as to how the system works, but I thought that all students could get a loan no matter how much their parents earned.
Does your daughter intend to live away from home and is she thinking of working part time?

Js_Other_Half

moiramacfarlane wrote: »

Thank you for your reply.

We _do_ "count ourselves lucky" we don't have to pay fees, but that's no reason not to want to know what our situation is viz a viz our expected contribution to her finances.
Was there something wrong with my posting?

No, there's nothing wrong with your post. Welcome to the boards :beer:

These days most students get a student loan and repay it when they are earning - you DO NOT have to support your daughter. However, given that you are in Scotland, grants may be available for low income families? Have a look on the student moneysaving board:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=25

cazziebo

Nothing wrong with your posting at all - dmg was just pointing out that if you were in England or Wales you would have to pay tuition fees each year too. She can take a student loan which should cover living expenses while she studies.

Is your daughter going to stay at home while she studies? This would make a big difference to costs, although I do think to get the whole uni experience they should leave home. I know in some families that's just not an option.

fwiw, I was really keen that my daughter didn't get into debt so rather than take a loan her dad paid for her halls and I gave her living expenses. We've now realised we've been way over generous -it's obvious to us she doesn't appreciate the costs to us. We've told her next year she gets a job and starts to pay her own way. I had three jobs simultaneously while at university and swore I'd make it easier for my own kids if they choose that route but I now see it doesn't do them any favours. She is only 18 though - I think at 21 they should be well on the road to independence.

moiramacfarlane

Thank you for your replies. I am very nervous as I have not posted on forums before.
If she passes her exams she will be leaving home to study in Aberdeen as we too think that it is best for her that she leaves home and both has some fun away from home and gains a sense of independence.
She has a part time job and has had a college bursary (now ended) out of which she contributes 1/3 towards her expenses i.e. the food she eats etc, which is about £40 per week. The idea was that she saved a third and had a third to spend, but, (in common with her friends) she actually spends the whole 2/3 on her DS, make up etc.
Is it really the case that we will be able to choose to help her out rather than being made to?

cazziebo

Yes - the choice is yours. She can apply for a loan and use that to live off. As a parent you can always help her out informally - eg a Tesco delivery order or some money in a card. That might be more appreciated - easier for you to control and won't breed the dependence that we've created!

I am a bit frustrated with my dd just now :mad: so that is colouring my judgement somewhat! I do remember what it was like to get your first money you can call your own - the temptation to spend it all is just too great..

Aberdeen is a great place to go to Uni - fingers crossed she gets in.

poet123

Whilst you will not be forced to contribute the amount your daughter receives will be assessed on your income, and thus you will be deemed to contribute.

If you choose not to, your daughter will have to pay all her living costs from the loan and maintenance allowance which will not be easy.

We have 4 kids 3 of whom are at uni, or have been at uni, and we contributed to their living costs (paid their rent)and we will do the same for the 4th. It is not easy but eventually they will all get their turn.

QuirkyChemistry

Although you do not have to financially contribute, it is useful if you can help her out in other ways. You may find that it gets a bit expensive just before starting uni as you have to buy plates, bedding etc. If you can start stockpiling these gradually. A lot of my crockery was bought at carboot sales and my Grannie was nice enough to buy my bedding and towels. Same goes for if you want to send some food with her. Start a collection of useful tins and packets. That way if money is tight you don't notice the spending all at once.

To really help your daughter I would advise getting her to start saving some money and maybe getting a part time job or some summer work. It really helped me to have some savings in the bank.

moiramacfarlane

We would, of course, help to support her, both financially and materially, but not necessarly at the level she has been used to over the past few years. It is more that, having continuously supported her through three years of college, we feel that, at 20, it is time she started to stand on her own two feet.

I do not like the fact that she is taking it as her right or forgranted, or saying that we must, or that the government say that we must give her a financial contribution, and, to be honest, sulking when her dad and I say that we don't think it's fair on her siblings to give her more of what's available than they get.

What I want is to be able to provide her with necessities, have her stand on her own two feet a bit, gain some pride, and dad and I be able to drop in "care packages" ie food/a bit of cash to get her hair done/a wee bit extra now and then.

My husband and I are both care assistants, and the pay is not great, so to be told that we must without question give her yet more money, (after she wasted two years at college... fingers crossed she's passed third time) to the detriment of the other children in the family, would be a hard one to swallow.