Universities and low income funding

[IHE]

I know University grants don't exist any more, but can anyone point me in the direction of where to find information for support for low income parents?
Any tips on how to navigate funding applications etc if the other (divorced) parent is a high earner would also be really appreciated.

You put the income of the household your dc lives in on the application, this includes step parents (even if not married) if you live together, non resident parents are not on the application.

some universities have bursaries for low income students but tend to be subject specific, my dd had one for women in engineering one year but not the following because I’d move in with now dh.

But if the grandparents and dad are willing to pay the fees and living costs let them, don’t feel bad, it doesn’t stop your dc applying for some maintenance if needed either and his dad wouldn’t know

I appreciate you wanting to contribute but please leave the bursaries for those kids that absolutely need them. Jump at the chance your child can leave debt free. Think that was quite an omission that totally changes the advice given.

A lot of bursaries are available to all students who qualify, usually the low income ones. They can also be if you’ve completed an access scheme (as PP have said), if you’re from a specific school or a particular underrepresented group e.g. care experienced.

Should definitely look into scholarships, these are either targeted at academic excellence, or students from a particular background/course/area/characteristic, you need to research into the offer at your specific university.

Students should put the appropriate amount of effort into a scholarship application - no ChatGPT!

Popping on to note that grants and bursaries are not a all just for low income students

Mine were approved based on subject studied for example and were not dependent on parental income.

This is so awful. Why did her high earning Dad not support her?

OP, now you have mentioned that your DC's fees will be covered, they are obviously not in need of a bursary. Bursaries are intended for those who have no means to go to university. You may well qualify under low income, but frankly that's a bit cheeky in your situation when your DC is not even in need of loans.

Often the bursaries are automatic. My daughter gets £500 per year which is given automatically at her uni to anyone who gets a full loan. She didn’t have to apply for it.

This is quite right.

A full maintenance loan and an application is all that’s required.

You just have to make sure to tick the box on the loan forms which allow them to share info with your uni.

Yeh @IHE this could be a good reason to take out loans. if your DC is in yr 13 tho and has already applied it's a question if whether their chosen unis offer bursaries at all. Not all do.

Just to say if you don’t take loans you can still be assessed for low income bursaries etc, just need to speak to the uni to find out the process.

Ah that’s useful intel, apols for my last post then.