[Chrisruptor]

Right, so I'm applying for SAAS (tuition fees and student loan), and I've worked out parental contribution to my living costs (living away from home) will be around £3000.

I feel guilty that I'd require my parents to pay that much... If I get a part time job (which I really hope I can ASAP) then I should be able to make enough money to pay the fees for staying in the halls each week, if not just a little bit under. Although I'll still have around £2500 student loan to help with that throughout the year.

If I do get a job and my parents say only pay for my food and stuff (the usual expenses they have for me at home), then will they really have to end up paying around £3000 for me throughout the year? Or is that figure worked out if the student doesn't have a part time job?

This is with reference to those living in Scotland, as I imagine English students will have a completely different financial support system having to also pay for tuition fees on top of living costs, but if they can offer any insight that would also be appreciated. I'm also asking about 1st year living costs when costs are likely to be higher what with staying in the halls and all.

Do you depend on your parents to help with your living costs? If so, how dependant are you on them? If not, how can you afford to go without any parental contribution?

[LannaBanana]

I'm having problems with this too. My parents have emigrated to Australia, I'm 21 and have worked for the past four years, but SAAS are saying that my parents should pay all my expenses? The highest loan I can get is 915 quid a year which is basically about 2 months rent. I've lived with my parents the past four years (including last year in Australia) but I'm back in Scotland to go to Uni. I have to wait three years before I'm considered an independent student to get a decent loan. I only have a little saved up, enough to last until maybe Christmas. I know the system is set up to help people whose parents can't afford to send them to University but my parents WON'T give me any money because they think 21 is old enough to take care of yourself even if I'm in full time education. I wouldn't expect a grant or a bursary but I wish I could get a higher loan, because even with a job where I work a lot (which seems to be hard enough to find anyway) I'm still not going to be able to afford to live. I'm losing sleep over this..

[Chrisruptor]

(Original post by LannaBanana)
I'm having problems with this too. My parents have emigrated to Australia, I'm 21 and have worked for the past four years, but SAAS are saying that my parents should pay all my expenses? The highest loan I can get is 915 quid a year which is basically about 2 months rent. I've lived with my parents the past four years (including last year in Australia) but I'm back in Scotland to go to Uni. I have to wait three years before I'm considered an independent student to get a decent loan. I only have a little saved up, enough to last until maybe Christmas. I know the system is set up to help people whose parents can't afford to send them to University but my parents WON'T give me any money because they think 21 is old enough to take care of yourself even if I'm in full time education. I wouldn't expect a grant or a bursary but I wish I could get a higher loan, because even with a job where I work a lot (which seems to be hard enough to find anyway) I'm still not going to be able to afford to live. I'm losing sleep over this..

Hmm, I'm sure I heard or read that it was a case of if you can prove your parents aren't going to be funding you at all, (I dont know whether that would be having them sign something declaring they aren't giving you anything) then you can apply for the maximum loan? I'd definitely look into it. Have you called SAAS to explain the situation?

[auld reekie]

(Original post by Chrisruptor)
Hmm, I'm sure I heard or read that it was a case of if you can prove your parents aren't going to be funding you at all, (I dont know whether that would be having them sign something declaring they aren't giving you anything) then you can apply for the maximum loan? I'd definitely look into it. Have you called SAAS to explain the situation?

SAAS will only make you exempt from a parental contribution if you meet one of the rules:
http://www.saas.gov.uk/student_support/contrib_one.htm
failing that, you would need to prove that you are estranged from your folks http://www.saas.gov.uk/student_support/estrangement.htm