[Tengallonhead]

Hi guys,

I come from Germany and hold an offer for PPE from the University of York for 2012 entry. In order to be able to pay tuition fess, I need to apply to Student Finance for a student loan. Usually, the assessment of my application would be based on my parents’ tax return (German: Einkommensteuerbescheid) of 2010. However, since 2010 my situation at home has changed a lot. My parents, for example, separated in last August and I have been estranged from my father ever since. Additionally, our tax return 2010 attributes a very high income to my father due to a onetime settlement deal, which was preceded by a long lawsuit against my father’s former employer. Legal fees, mortgage arrears and other debt quickly ate up the money from the settlement. In short, my parents’ tax return 2010 is not representative of my family’s current income situation. I know about the “Current Year Income Assessment Form” and the “Notification of change of circumstances for EU students on full-time courses Form”. What I don’t know is where my father lives now, as I am not in contact with him. I already sent the “Current Year Income Assessment Form” to the last known address of my father as well as to his lawyer without receiving any reply. Now, I need your advice on how to proceed, particularly because the application deadline of the 31st of May is nearing and I fear my education to be in jeopardy as a result of my father’s behavior.

Thank you in advance.

[kt.b01200]

Can you not just do it on your mothers income as they are separated. My parents are also separated and I just did my student finance application based on my mother but I do not know if it is different as my parents have not been together for over 5 years now and also I live in England which I believe makes the process much easier.
Sorry if this was no help at all

[doughnut92]

Yeah, as kt.b01200 said, you might be able to do it off just your mother's income. If I remember correctly, doesn't it ask if you're living with your mother, father or both?

[JongKey]

I don't think you even need to mention anything about your father. There should be some option for only choosing your mother and then put in her details. Call student finance up to confirm.

[littleone271]

My dad doesn't live with us and student finance just took into account the earnings of my mum and her partner. I think it's a little more complicated if your parents aren't divorced yet and I think in that instance they ask for some evidence.

[Tengallonhead]

(Original post by doughnut92)
Yeah, as kt.b01200 said, you might be able to do it off just your mother's income. If I remember correctly, doesn't it ask if you're living with your mother, father or both?

(Original post by JongKey)
I don't think you even need to mention anything about your father. There should be some option for only choosing your mother and then put in her details. Call student finance up to confirm.

This option you're talking about, should it be on the Student Finance England Application or on the Current Year Income Assessment Form? On the latter, the petitioner has to declare his or her relationship to the student i.e. either mother or father in my case. However, I don't see how it would help to only send my mother's details because if I don't tell them that my parents are separated and that I am estranged from my father, they will certainly think that my parents are still together and that my father can support me with his apparently high income. In Germany, husband and wife are usually assessed jointly by the finance authorities, so how should they know that my father no longer supports me if I send the tax review of 2010 but just update them on my mother's income? Maybe that is different in England? Moreover, as an EU Student I can't participate in the online application process, I have to send it by mail. Is there a chance that you guys have this option and I don't?
Nevertheless, I will call Student Finance asap and ask them how to go forward. Hopefully, I am eligible to this option, too. Thank you very much for your help

[Tengallonhead]

(Original post by littleone271)
I think it's a little more complicated if your parents aren't divorced yet and I think in that instance they ask for some evidence.

You're right, my parents aren't divorced yet and in this case Student Finance wants to see a legal confirmation of their separation. Fortunately, I could obtain such a paper from my mother's divorce lawyer. I still thought that I would be required to declare both my parent's income. But maybe not. I hope that will do it. Thank you.

[littleone271]

(Original post by Tengallonhead)
You're right, my parents aren't divorced yet and in this case Student Finance wants to see a legal confirmation of their separation. Fortunately, I could obtain such a paper from my mother's divorce lawyer. I still thought that I would be required to declare both my parent's income. But maybe not. I hope that will do it. Thank you.

As long as there's proof that he isn't living there then it shouldn't matter what he earns

[Shani]

Erm, you're an EU student, right?

EU students can only get tuition fee loans - these are not means tested. All you should have to prove is that you are an EU resident and citizen; your household income doesn't matter for tuition fee loans.

If I've somehow misunderstood you, and you and your mother are living in England and you qualify as an English student then student finance will want proof that your mother is single. A council tax bill showing she gets the sole occupancy discount usually suffices, or a letter from a solicitor confirming the marriage has broken up, if she is not yet divorced.

[Tengallonhead]

(Original post by Shani)
Erm, you're an EU student, right?

right

[Shani]

(Original post by Tengallonhead)
right

Then you don't need to supply financial information.

Are you filling in the EU student forms?

[Tengallonhead]

(Original post by Shani)
Then you don't need to supply financial information.

Are you filling in the EU student forms?

Yes I am. I called Student Finance England yesterday and they basically told me that I just need to send in the EU student application form alongside a certified copy of my identity card, which confirms that I am an EU national. That is very good news!

Thank you all for your quick and helpful advice.