noblegiraffe
As a parent I have to supply all of my income information to student finance so that the maintenance loan can be worked out. We are then expected to top up the loan to at least the maximum amount (this is the expectation of the government and the reason why there is a sliding scale of loan award based on parental income) on top of that I then have to give bank statements, pay slips and a letter from my employer to the landlords agents to make sure I can stand as guarantor - if it is nothing to do with me why am I required to do all of that?
blueskiesovertheforest
My son is earning £23000 a year. No he isn't in an inner London school but he is in the South East. He lives an hour's commute from his school because rents are cheaper, but this means that he needs a car. His rent for 1 room, kitchenette and shower (in a shared house) is £800/month. He spends £50/week on petrol. £60/month car insurance. His pension contribution is ridiculous. Honestly, add it up. It leaves barely anything.
And how have I never rented? I'm 50. I got married at 23. Lived at home until I got married. Bought our house for £60 000 25 years ago. That's how. Not a massive deposit gifted by parents but £10 000 that we saved up. It was easy then, not so now.
And I don't think either of my children expect anything on a plate. They both work very hard.
To qualify for financial help the family income has to be under £25 000 but I don't think people would say that a family earning say £35 000, especially in London, is wealthy.
I just don't see the sense in encouraging certain groups of students to apply to university by taking them on visits or taster days but then ignoring the very real financial barriers that they face. No matter how hard they work, or how many part time jobs they get they'll still fail if landlords insist on a guarantor for housing for example.