[princess1729]

Earning 100k is no different in their books to 35k (or whatever it was when I started, we were *just* over it!) so in fact you're in a situation many many people are in. Not getting EMA is no reason to get sympathy (or living in a tiny village, me too!). My parents told me I was going it alone financially like you've been told but I did some research into what my costs would be for my degree. For your unis, look into accomodation costs (which will probably vary in 1st and later years), cost of living (how much on average to spend on food, going out, sport and hobbies) and course costs (for Geography you may need textbooks, field trips, etc). Draw up a plan and work out your deficit. On open days, ask professors or other students how many hours you should expect to work. See how much you have left to spare on a job part time during term while at uni otherwise look for full/part time in the holidays when at home.

See what is left. Present it to your parents. I did just that and my parents realised that the government *really* do not give enough money to live off and if they wanted me to have enough time to do my degree then they would have to provide the money. They agreeed £3000 per year for 3 years. If I wanted to extend it to a Masters, or do anything else (I'm actually going to do a PGCE) then I have to fund it myself. I got them involved with going to uni as it's something they have never experienced. On the open days they found out I'd have to work more hours than a full time job (estimated 47.5 hours per week for my course) and that I'd have excellent career prospects at the end of it. They were dead worried about the student loan, not even wanting me to have that, or take out the bare minumum and pay back asap (rather than what I've done, take the max each time and play about with bank accounts to earn interest). They wanted me to be independent of them, after all I'll be 21 when I graduate! But financially that was not possible at the time. I knew what they agreed was my lot and if I ran out, then tough, that's my own stupid fault as we worked out that I had enough to survive on. I wouldn't dream of asking them for more money (or clothes/food/anything) now or after my degree.

Teaching financial independence is great, I'm hoping that's your Dad's aim rather than he simply can't afford it, in which case a well thought out plan and an agreement which you actually stick to will show you are mature. If you don't think it will work (some not great) alternatives include agreeing he can see all your bank statements, everything you spend money on (a huge loss of privacy for you but would it be worth it?) and can discuss areas he thinks you should cut back on if he funds you a bit. Or working out what you'd have to borrow as a hideous bank loan (but *really* don't actually get a bank loan!) which he may want you to avoid so would cough up, otherwise asking to borrow the money (in some sort of 0% interest loan) from him with written signed agreement about repayments upon graduation based on monthly salary (or that sort of deal), appealing to other relatives (be careful with this one not to cause bad feeling between them and your dad), and having a gap year to work (£12k should be enough to make up the difference from the whole of your degree).

[warrenpenalver]

i think it should be legally enforced on parents to contribute according to earnings.

otherwise the system doesnt really work in an equal way.