Paying for 25 year old child

Tabbytabitha wrote: »

If you look at outgoings there'd be nothing to stop parents remortgaging or taking on large loans so that their children would get higher finance. Outgoings are never taken into account, quite rightly, when claiming public money.

You're right. It's similar to the need for rules on deprivation of assets. Otherwise we'd have the elderly trying to make the government pay for care when they'd given their money away.

Personally I don't agree with government policy ( on care or student fees) but while it's the law it should apply to everyone.

Tabbytabitha wrote: »

I was at university in the 70s with someone in that situation - he and his sister had to work for 3 years before starting university so they would be classified as independent - it wasn't the end of the world, just annoying.

Out of interest, how is being independent for 3 years defined? Is it working in a f-time job for 3 years and after you are 18? I've just been reading thru the OP's posts on here and this is her DDs 4th year at Uni, so wondering if she didn't meet the criteria or just missed it?

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Isn't only if a Scottish student studies in a Scottish university. I think welsh students get a subsidy regardless of where they study.

So potentially (I believe) you could have a student from Scotland, Wales & England studying at a Scottish university, on the same course but all paying different tuition fees.

Hardly a United Kingdom is it?

Yes, sorry I should have put if studying at a Scottish university.

silvercar wrote: »

It is defined as being financially independent for 3 tax years prior to the start of the course. I think it requires showing an income of about £14,000.

I've just looked up nmw for 18-20 year olds and working on a 37.5 week that comes out at £11.5K, so not enough to meet that criteria.

Tabbytabitha wrote: »

If you look at outgoings there'd be nothing to stop parents remortgaging or taking on large loans so that their children would get higher finance. Outgoings are never taken into account, quite rightly, when claiming public money.

That makes no sense whatsoever.

You believe that instead of paying towards their children's uni expenses people would rather pay a higher mortgage or for a loan they don't need? So they'd end up paying more than if they made a contribution? Really?

To make the system fair all that needs to be changes is for the maintenance loan to allow all students to pay rent and live a very modest existence with a top-up based on income for students from poorer families. That at least puts everyone nearer the same starting position.

Or even better regulate rents for halls to be affordable on a maintenance loan. At the moment we have the ridiculous situation where a student living in London receives a larger maintenance loan and is comfortably able to afford halls and food even if their parents are earning a decent wage while the same student studying in the rest of the country would not receive enough to even cover their rent.