No maintenance for under 18 as he's started uni. Is this correct?

[jocktamsonsbairn]

Does anyone know? Instead of sending DS congratulations to say well done on getting into uni his dad has instead written to CMS to tell them to reduce his payments. When I spoke to CMS they told me that university is not counted as full time adulation!!! Really?!! What is it then? Surely further or higher education is still education? I googled and apparently he can apply for some support when he is 18 but can't now as he's 17. So, one of the most expensive times in your life and the money stops!! Unreal. Anyone know if there's anything we can do? Is this info right? Thanks.

It is correct that Uni is higher education not further education. Had you planned for what would happen at this point? My children at 8 and 11 and I am already planning and preparing for when the child related money will stop.

Totally correct. My income halved when dd went to uni. Because of my low income she qualified for full grants/ loans etc so supported her self for four years.

Why is your DS going to uni at 17?

Because we live in Scotland and he was a winter baby.
I must admit I did look into it years ago and read that support continues while in full time education. To me that meant uni as well as it didn't specify secondary.
I can just afford to support him but it's the attitude - no well done just a stop to payments. Also think the government stance is wrong as it could putt people off further/higher education because the can't afford it,

Lots of children go to uni at 17 in Scotland - it’s a different education system from England. I thought most people knew that.

I knew it was different but not they finished year younger. Thought Scotland was more progressive and got them to start and finish later!!!

Mine are the youngest in the England/Wales system and will be (just) 18 when/if they go.

It's rubbish for you

I'm sorry your son's dad is such a pathetic excuse for a father.

I think the term is "no longer in further education" but Uni is "higher education".

Scottish and I was accepted to uni at 16 at the end of 5th year but waited on to 6th year as I felt too you g, particularly when doing a B.Ed so would be doing teaching placements.

Thought Scotland was more progressive and got them to start and finish later!!!

We have choices and flexibility, surely that IS progress?

My exh stopped paying maintenance at 16, I didn't realise they stopped eating at 16 and totally supported themselves on a part time wage whilst studying I must have missed that memo. Some fathers are just total selfish idiots.

Your son's 'father' is a cock.

Oh I know he is a tremendous arse and poor excuse for a father - I am being polite here. It's just that when I questioned it with CMS I was told that the UK government dress not classify uni and college as 'education'. The paperwork I have is 'full time education'. He is at uni full time and is 17 so I would say a minor (under 18) and in full time education. Apparently not.
Anyway, having experienced both English and Scottish systems I actually prefer the second chance approach of Scottish secondary education. DS failed most of his Nat 5s/GCSEs in S4 At age 25. He played the Xbox..., In Scotland he got a other chance, if we had stayed in England he would have had to leave school. What happened was that he knuckled down, took his second chance and worked hard in S5 and S6 getting good enough grades to get into uni. So, yeah I'd say that was progressive and supportive. Unlike the CMS and child benefit agency!! The government say they want to close the poverty gap and raise attainment but they are not going to achieve that by allowing irresponsible parents stop all maintenance just as their kids need it. Let's face it no one would go to CMS unless they had to! He would not be able to do his course surviving on just the £4500 loan he qualifies for. Luckily we don't pay fees here.

In Scotland we sit Highers in 5th year and can go straight to uni if all required grades are achieved. My DD if all goes well will go 2mths after she turns 17.
Sorry OP his dad is such a twat, I’m fortunate my DDs dad has agreed to pay uni halls in place of maintenance to me.

Can he support your son directly, while he is at uni? (I.e. give money to your son, rather than you)

That is what any half way decent parent would do, and that's the assumption that underpins the rules.

My don asked and got a twattish reply about being an adult and how he should save up for things he "wants" like books and train fares... Fortunately I checked a court order from my divorce and have completed the reinforcement form as he should be supporting him till he's 18! Fingers crossed!

Fingers crossed he will support him till 18 my ex celebrated his daughter (who he never sees or pays for) 18th by looking for work now he is no longer liable to pay for her (also at uni) fortunately she is independent enough to apply for bursaries herself

No, university does not count as "full time education" in this context. It means school.

I take it your son does not qualify for SAAS?

Yep, Happy Birthday! No present, no card, no more help. So glad my 18 year old stopped eating the second he turned 18.

Was your ex paying more than the £4500 loan your ds get then?

If your appeal works though OP that only gives you one more year of support. What will you do then?

As for your ex, I'm appalled at the attitude of some men with regard to supporting their DC. They just wash their hands of them at the earliest possible opportunity. How is a 17-year-old at FT uni supposed to support him/herself? A PT job on minimum wage isn't going to do that.

Zafferanna that's it in a nutshell!! It's the principle. He had dodged payments constantly over the last 12 years and hasn't seen the dc for 10 years. He took me to court for everything and anything and has not paid maintenance more than he has paid.
My ds applied for £2500 innloan as we felt that was enough as he was meant to be getting the money from his dad till he was 18. No point in getting into more debt if he doesn't need to.
My XH earns a LOT but resents giving it to 'me' as obviously (same as other pp) my dc don't need to eat, wear clothes or live in a house.
i have filled out the court form and will send it with the cvs confirmation plus print outs of rwattish responses. Even if we get a few more months it could prevent ds getting into more debt.