I'm 22, a uni graduate, and currently living independently and financially supporting myself.
I'm planning on doing a PGCE next year and I would like to do that in the city I did my undergrad degree in (where I currently work and live). However, by the looks of things it seems that this isn't going to be possible for me as I don't fall under the criteria as an 'independent student' and my dad earns a good wage, therefore I will get the lowest loan. My parents no longer give me any money, I am entirely self sufficient and they are not prepared to pay my rent during my PGCE. Why is it that they are expected to fund my living costs when I will be 23 years old and no longer live at home??
Do student finance take into account that I live independently and am financially independent, even if it isn't for the last three years? Or are my parents expected to pay for the living costs of their independent adult daughter? (even when they can't.)
I can't and won't force my parents to give me money. But it will mean I can no longer do the PGCE course I want to do. This seems completely unfair when there could be someone else in the exact same position as me but because their parents are divorced/on a lower income, they get to go to whatever uni they want and be funded for it.
Has anyone had any experience with this?