Urgent Q pls! Bursary interview - mum has a house

[bursaryint]

Hello everyone

Pls I'm desperate for advice as I have a bursary interview coming up tomorrow

I'm a single parent with income of about £40k and a small top up from benefits , 2 kids renting from my mum

I have heard possible interview questions could include asking if my parents have a home ( most likely to release some equity )?

Is this true?

I definitely don't want to put her in that position because I know she has been desperate sometimes for funds and she still doesn't go for equity on her house but still works to take care of herself . She's 64

Is there a way to say no I can't use her if asked ?

I pay her rent so definitely they can probably see it's a family member. Do i not indicate she's the one that owns the house? I don't want to lie and jeopardise my daughters application

Pls what's the best way out of this ?

Thank you

What sort of bursary?

If it's an education bursary, you should be able to declare yourself as independent from parental contributions. Not sure if the £40k plus benefits would be more of a consideration though. Do you get CMS on top of this?

Thanks for your response

No I don't get cms at all. Just me sorting everything.

I'm happy for them to assess my salary plus benefits a year is just over 50k a year in total and I'm happy to pay what they say I can afford if I'm able to

I just don't want them to suggest I get my mum to get equity off her house for this. It's unfair on her

Do you privately rent from your mother (which it sounds like)? If so, you can say you have a private landlord.

As for equity, answer honestly that you have one parent who is still working and you know she has had her own financial restraints.

so you pay her rent

what is your housing situation?

you rent from your mother? but do not own a property

Don’t tell any lies but don’t volunteer any information that hasn’t been asked for.

If asked whether you have parents and if your parents own a property you can say yes but your parents aren’t able to contribute.

Sounds like all will be fine.

Yes I privately rent from her mainly because my kids school is right opposite the house and she gives me at a discounted rate till I get my feet together . Just started the 40k job 2 weeks ago too

Yes I was going to say private landlord but they could ask what the constant rent payment is for on my statement and both of us have the same last name so it's obvious it's a family member and I don't want to lie that it's not my mum if they ask

Yes I pay her rent . She lives somewhere else renting as well

Is rent paid by benefits?

Yes it is

Have been renting from her since 6 yrs ago and this was all assessed as part of my UC claim

Bursaries are usually reassed every year.
If your earnings go up your contributions will increase.
Make sure your child can meet the schools expectations. Some schools take away bursaries if results fall. My DD was expected to show people around with jazz hands for her fees. It didn't suit her as she is a very quiet person.
We had our cars and holidays monitored too. Funnily enough she got offered another bursary at university. She's clever but doesn't want the spotlight. The help can be a lifeline but it's a constant worry if you are not a high earner.

Thanks very good point

I have thought about this as wel though it's for 11+ entry , but I know it applies as well

very limited opp for lying anyway

most likely asked for copy of tenancy agreement anyway

have you submitted the form and evidence yet?

Yes submitted everything

Benefit statements, bank statements, not tenancy agreement though

do you have a tenancy agreement?

if they question from having seen on bank statement, then you can provide the agreement

Yes I do . Sent to some other schools I applied to

I'm not sure at all this is a bursary expectation. It is definitely a scholarship expectation. A school cannot make bursary kids do more than fee paying. It would be immoral. Scholarship is a different matter.

I know this is stressful but the very easiest way through is to give full and frank disclosure of everything that’s asked!

IME the most reputable schools are very keen to give bursaries to single parents of limited means. You rent; you’ve only just started a new job, you have two children - these are the things they’ll consider first (assuming your child is one they want at the school).

Definitely do not hide the fact you rent from your mother. They’ll want to see your rental agreement and bank statements. Leave them to assess the situation. Unless your mother has significant wealth or assets they’re unlikely to withhold a place on the expectation of large contributions from her.

Trust the process.

And again, in my experience there are no special or onerous duties placed on bursary pupils. Bursary awards should be completely confidential and private - so the school should not be doing anything that might make this apparent to anyone else.

Thank you very much 😊

I hope it went well. The previous posters are right, my daughter had a scholarship too so that might explain the show rounds.

Yes it did , thank you 😊

They didn't even ask about my mums house

Even suggested I increase some expenses because what I put down wasn't realistic and too low 🤣

Thanks a lot everyone

Fingers crossed she gets a place x

Hope you get the outcome you’re hoping for.