Estranged and indepedent students.

Hi,

My name is Anna. I'm 18 and living independently whilst on a gap year before university, working a full time and a part time job to just make rent. I was forced to leave my mother's house when I was 15, but luckily I have an amazing nana who took me in for 3 years. However I felt I had to leave my nana's house once I turned 18 because she claims benefits and me being in the house would lower her already low income. So I now live in a student house with some friends who are now my emotional support; my family.

I am independent. Right? By day I'm an SEN teaching assistant; by night I am a cocktail waitress. I work 40+ hours a week (which doesn't sound like much but when it's split up into days and nights it's a handful) to pay my own rent and buy my own food. I pay council tax every month.

But according to student finance this doesn't count because I haven't been independent for 36 months. I'm 18, 36 months ago I was in high school.

I'm estranged. Right? I have met my biological father as a child, he's never helped and wouldn't want to even if he could. I haven't had a relationship with my mother since before I was kicked out, she doesn't help me in any way. I provide for myself, without parents.

But according to student finance this doesn't count because we've communicated either verbally or by text in the past 12 months - but of course we have, I have a little sister who I want to see!

So even though I am independent and estranged, I don't fit into a box, and so it will be near impossible to count as an independent and estranged student.

Problem: If I don't count as estranged, what do I put into student finance? My mother's income, a single mum? My nana's income, under £5000? Because their income doesn't affect me, because I am independent and estranged from both biological parents. Does my nana count as a guardian now (she is legally) even if I no longer live with her?

Please help, if I cannot apply for independence then who's income do I put into student finance?

Thanks,

Anna

Use your nana's household income if she is your legal guardian.

But because I'm 18/nearly 19/so a year above most people going to uni do I actually have a legal guardian anymore? I'm an adult and I have my own household income?