Evidence to support independent student status

Hi there!
I am starting the graduate entry medicine course at Sheffield uni in September and am currently sorting my finances. I have been told by student finance that the evidence I have submitted so far of my financial earnings from 2019/20 to 2023/24 does not show that my income was above a reasonable amount to live on for most of the tax years and that previous student loans would not be considered as part of the funding consideration. As I have used the money I have earned over the past five years to support myself financially, working two jobs at some points while studying to do so, without assistance from family, is there any way to dispute this? and if so, would bank statements to confirm that I have savings that I have accumulated and been living off and confirmation of scholarship funds from my current university be accepted as evidence? I have also been living with my partner for over a year now and split the cost of living with them, however, I am 23 (soon to be 24) and have been told that my partner's income would not be considered. Any advice on this would be much appreciated

(edited 4 months ago)

Original post by lucyn_15

Hi there!
I am starting the graduate entry medicine course at Sheffield uni in September and am currently sorting my finances. I have been told by student finance that the evidence I have submitted so far of my financial earnings from 2019/20 to 2023/24 does not show that my income was above a reasonable amount to live on for most of the tax years and that previous student loans would not be considered as part of the funding consideration. As I have used the money I have earned over the past five years to support myself financially, working two jobs at some points while studying to do so, without assistance from family, is there any way to dispute this? and if so, would bank statements to confirm that I have savings that I have accumulated and been living off and confirmation of scholarship funds from my current university be accepted as evidence? I have also been living with my partner for over a year now and split the cost of living with them, however, I am 23 (soon to be 24) and have been told that my partner's income would not be considered. Any advice on this would be much appreciated

Hi there,

What was the evidence you sent to us previously? We can't accept Student Finance funding as ways to support yourself.

Thanks,
Ross

Reply 2

lucyn_15

OP

2

The previous evidence I submitted previously was a summary of my earnings that had been provided by HMRC

Hi lucyn_15,

The only way to dispute this would be to send us further evidence of your earnings. We are unable to accept bank statements. If you are not able to provide evidence we will need your sponsors to support your application in order for it to be income assessed.

Thanks,
Calum

Reply 4

lucyn_15

OP

2

Hi Callum.

The only evidence I have is the earnings and tax summary from HMRC. If I don't have a sponsor such as a sponsor who is willing to support my application would I get the minimum maintenance loan? My partner would be able to support my application but I am 23 and have been told previously they would not be able to do so?

Hi lucyn_15,

Do you still have contact with your parents?

Thanks,
Calum

Reply 6

lucyn_15

OP

2

Hi Callum, I am still in contact with my parents but am not supported by them financially. I come from a big family (6 siblings) meaning my parents have not supported me financially since I was 19

Original post by lucyn_15

Hi Callum.
The only evidence I have is the earnings and tax summary from HMRC. If I don't have a sponsor such as a sponsor who is willing to support my application would I get the minimum maintenance loan? My partner would be able to support my application but I am 23 and have been told previously they would not be able to do so?

Hi there,

That's correct, yes - unless you're married your partner won't be able to support your application since you're under 25.

It may be easier to have your parents support your application instead, do you think they'll be okay to do this?

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 8

lucyn_15

OP

2

Hi Graeme,

They would be able to do this. Will the number of siblings I have (6) be considered when considering how much my parents would be able to support me?

Hi lucyn_15,

A disregard of £1130 is applied to the household income for each child who is wholly or mainly dependent on the sponsors.

Thanks,
Calum

Evidence to support independent student status

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