'High Income Family' means I can't afford University?!

No chance. Plenty of time at weekends/evenings/holidays for a part time job.

Hi,

At College I was told that the student loan isn't means tested at all, only the grants. So I've felt fairly safe in the fact I can afford to pay rent and buy food if I go to Uni next year.

However, this morning I found the Student Finance Calculator and based on my Dad's income I'm entitled to only the minimum student loan (£3,731), which out of all the University's I've looked at would only cover minimum rent at one and that would leave me with on £200 left to live on for the year! However, if I put in my Mum's income then I'd be entitled to a £3,387 Grant and a £4,047 loan.

How is this fair? My Dad has two other children to pay for and far more outgoings so he can't afford to support me whilst I'm at University and I don't live with my Mum, leaving me with no option but to work to pay the rent when I should be studying while other people get grants and loans to pay it all.

Hi

I'm in the same position. My maintenance loan messed up due to mistakes on my stepdad's details. Rung Student Finance up like 7 times and contacted them online but in the end I'm getting the minimum which is £3928 I think. I'm not even in the income band for receiving the minimum, but nevermind. To all those people saying you're a moaning rich kid, and I completely disagree with them, I'll tell them the accommodation fees where I'm going are £7171. So that's £3243 to find (just to pay for the accommodation). Plus the cost of a gown (~£50), joining the JCR foe 3 years (£180) and a Freshers' pass and a few drinks in Freshers'. And I haven't even mentioned any societies/sports (I wanted to join the hill walking society) which are complete luxuries now. I am lucky enough to have had a small part-time job so have got some savings to dip into but getting a part-time job is pretty much vital but lots of people have part-time jobs that's true. Rbutton's point was that their money from these was disposable so could be spent on drinks or whatever they pleased so if something happened or they didn't get the job, there would be no panic, whereas for those with lower loans this becomes vital so as to not receive a fine for not paying the full amount every term.

I have every sympathy with you as I know many people whose parents don't see why they should put money towards living costs. Equally being in a 'high income' household with 5 siblings does not offer you the same standard of living as being a single child in a 'low income' household. Often the latter may have a better standard of living because the parent(s) can afford to spend more. It's sheer ignorance and hate on the part of those who try and portray you as a crybaby. You want to work of course. But university really should be about studying not working and with a higher loan of course it could be paid off.

This post is very late but as I'm in a precarious situation and could easily be labelled a lazy, moaning middle-class student I completely identify with you. It's a shame people couldn't be more civil with you on here. You have to cross your fingers and hope the employers are flexible with regard to only working in term time (or pay huge sums extra for living in accommodation over uni holidays ))))) ) and pray that not many students apply for the same job.

All the best and I'd love to hear how you coped.

It's your family's fault. They could have saved or had fewer children.

An example of a rude TSR user again :' The point is that the number of siblings you have is not your choice yet in some respects you (or RButton) are/is being punished for that. Typical response would be: working class kids had life like that throughout school so deal with it - but consider pupil premium which covers school trips, meals and of course there's child benefits (everyone always forgets benefits in that argument?)

I think positives may be found for Rbutton through coping financially at university of course as often being forced into jobs through necessity is brilliant but really sympathies ought to be extended not sarky comments from people who won't struggle to live during a period in their life when they aren't really supposed to seek employment. (The top unis look down on it as it distracts people from the course)