SFE querie - mature student

I have a question that has been lingering on my mind for quite some time regarding the finance side of university. Now, I won't be applying to university until the 2025/2026 cycle when I sit a level three qualification in September, but I do have some financial questions and weigh up my situation.

I am a mature student in my early thirties(32). I do have a disability(autism) and live with my mother and her husband. I am not 100% independent as I do depend on my mother a fair bit. From what my mother has said when I've discussed household earnings with her is that their(her and her husband's) combined wage teeters close to the threshold, so I do not know if I would be eligible for student finance when the university stage approaches.

Regarding my income, I am currently on ESA and PIP(I have been on it for the past decade), so if I had to finance my studies myself, I wouldn't be able to afford it. I spoke with someone in college who said they would take my mom's and her husband's income into consideration in conjunction with mine. It is admittedly a huge worry for me.

Reply 1

SFE Jason

Official Rep

Original post by zcphyr

I have a question that has been lingering on my mind for quite some time regarding the finance side of university. Now, I won't be applying to university until the 2025/2026 cycle when I sit a level three qualification in September, but I do have some financial questions and weigh up my situation.
I am a mature student in my early thirties(32). I do have a disability(autism) and live with my mother and her husband. I am not 100% independent as I do depend on my mother a fair bit. From what my mother has said when I've discussed household earnings with her is that their(her and her husband's) combined wage teeters close to the threshold, so I do not know if I would be eligible for student finance when the university stage approaches.
Regarding my income, I am currently on ESA and PIP(I have been on it for the past decade), so if I had to finance my studies myself, I wouldn't be able to afford it. I spoke with someone in college who said they would take my mom's and her husband's income into consideration in conjunction with mine. It is admittedly a huge worry for me.

Hi there,

If you're over 25 then you'd be classed as an independent student so we wouldn't use your parents details when assessing your entitlement (even if you live with them). Depending on whether it's a full or part time course, you'd be assessed for the 'parental rate' of the maintenance loan but we don't require any information from your mum and her husband. Thanks, Jason