Student Finance

[jazzchickens]

I was wondering if somebody might know the answer to my query.

DS1 is already at University and has another 2 years to go. He pays the old tuition fees but has to take out maximum maintenance loan due to the cost of living in the area. When he applied for Student Finance - we filled in the parents supporting documentation as we also had to send him money to cover some of his costs. He got a small grant (about £80).

DS2 goes to University this September. DH & I are now on slightly higher salary (just over the cut off point) so he wouldn't qualify for any grants / bursaries. This is fine - I understand the need to have a limit and these sums of money are for those on less income.

However, we have worked out that we will need to send him a regular sum each month - just so he can eat. If he takes out the maximum maintenance loans - that just covers his accommodation. Of course, he will try and get a part time job but there are no guarantees that he will get one.

I suppose my query is - does Student Finance take into consideration the circumstances where parents are supporting more than one DC at University?

If not, although we are "supporting" them - is there any point in us filling in the parents forms when we already know they are not going to qualify for any assistance. I remember it was a right faff last time and DH had to get all sorts of supporting documentation from work / tax office.

Any advice will be gratefully accepted.

TIA

[Numberlock]

I shall watch with interest as I have twins starting uni in October and it hadn't occurred to me this might be taken into account.

I was at a uni open day today, sorry not much help to you!

[BlackandGold]

There used to be a small discount - maybe 5% - for parents who had more than one child at University but that may have gone now.

This site www.gov.uk/browse/education/student-finance may answer your questions

[jazzchickens]

Thank you