At what age do student finance no longer take my parents income into account?

In an unrelated thread, someone said you are considered a mature student when you're 21.

I start university for a 4 year sandwich course in September, and will be 21 in October, so I'm aware for that year, my parents' income is definitely taken into account when deciding the amount of my loan and grant.

If I'll be considered a mature student in my 2nd year, will this change?

If you could link me to some proof too, that'd be great

Hello matt9210, it maybe that a university considers you a mature student at 21. However this is a little different from what Student Finance considers as an 'independent' student. (If you are considered independent they don't look at your parents income) If it's just going on your age you have to be over 25 on the first day of the academic year. However there are some other situations where student finance may consider you an independent student before you're 25 depending on your circumstances.

If you follow this link it gives a break down of how Student Finance assesses if you're independent or not: http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/96449/001_independent_students_fact_sheet_v03.pdf

Best of luck

Thanks tabbysheep and University of Sheffield!

I'm going to the Sheffield department open day tomorrow, but thought I'd ask now in case I forget!

I looked on the Sheffield website, and using the calculator, saw that I am entitled to a £500 bursary based on my household income. Is this bursary guaranteed to every full time undergraduate that meets the requirements, or are they limited?

Hi I'm in a similar situation as Matt9210
I'm currently 19 and working full time, have been working full time in continuous employment since March 2011 and supported myself since this time. I live with my mother; but I pay rent (albeit at a reduced rate of 50/week) and buy all my own food etc.
I currently earn around £17,000/ year, and am entirley dependant on this money - I get no hand outs or 'unearned income' from my mother, despite living in her house.
I also moved out for a year, from February 2010 - January 2011, living with my (now ex-)partner, and worked part-time in a supermarket from soon after I left school (October 2009) until October 2010.
In theory I've hit 3 years of independant living, in that I can prove I've paid my own taxes/ NI etc (if I ring Inland Revenue...) but is this enough to be assessed as 'independant'?
I can't afford to go to uni if they count my mum's wages, as she will not be supporting me whilst I'm there - my income is my own, and I will be expected to rely on myself - there will be no 'unearned income' helping me out whilst at uni.
Oh, and I intend to study a Social Work degree full time at Norwich (UEA) from Sept 2014 - if any of that helps.

Any help greatly appreciated