Student finance independent status

I am looking to apply for student finance for a teacher training course starting in September.
I am currently 24 (annoyingly turning 25 two weeks after the start of my course) I have been in full time employment since 8th September 2020 and have had ad hoc/ zero hour contract jobs whilst I was in uni a few years ago. Would these zero hour contract jobs be able to make up my 3 year independent status (I only need an extra 3.5 months to qualify outside my full time job)

I am starting the teacher training in Oxford and am aware they have strict rules regarding part time jobs whilst studying. It is therefore likely that I will have no income during the year and am particularly worried about funding my accommodation and travel. When calculating my independent status, is it likely that I would be classed as independent?

I can technically work until the beginning of September this year too but I’m aware that I would be leaving it too late to apply for student finance if I did this anyway.

So as long as I can evidence some form of income from my time working zero hour contracts at uni and add it to the 32 months I already have then I should qualify? Is there a set amount I would have had to have made during those months?

Hi Amy,

The assessors will review this and determine if the 3 years of self support is sufficient for the 36 month period. The 3 years also don't need to be consecutive as long as its three full years prior to the 1st of September 2023.

Whilst there is no threshold for self-support it is expected that the amount of income that you have received is sufficient for you to have supported yourself financially and be able to pay rent, bills etc. If you had a low income but were able to support yourself you should provide evidence of how this was done along with a breakdown of income and expenditure. These will then be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Thanks, Jason

Thanks Jason,

One more question sorry! How can I prove up until September 1st if I have to submit my student finance application in the May before the course starts? I.e I will be working up until September and that would better show my financial independence for the 3 extra months but unless I just demonstrate my savings I’m unsure how to prove this? Or alternatively, can I apply as dependent and then change to independent in October once I’ve got the documentation to prove I have then been independent for 36 months?