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Student Finance mature student domestic abuse situation

Hi,
I'm about to apply for Student Finance to study Mental Health Nursing, however, I'm a very mature student and a survivor of long-term domestic abuse. I finally managed to escape a 30 year marriage last year, and I am re-building my life as a very happy independent older woman. But, I am very concerned about how student finance will process my household income and I am scared of any details being passed onto my former husband. I'm not sure how my income can be assessed as I know you look at previous years, and until I got away from the marriage, I actually had no personal income at all. I am due to be divorced in a matter of weeks and I know you can apply as an estranged student, but obviously most students are younger than myself and there is very little advice out there that is relevant to my situation. Any advice or help would be hugely appreciated. Thanks.

Cadi

Reply 1

Leah SLC

Official Rep

Hi there. If you are separated we wouldn't ask for your ex-husbands income. Can I ask are you both still living in the same household? Thanks, Leah.

Reply 2

Cadi C

Hi Leah, thanks for your swift reply, it's much appreciated. I have absolutely no contact with my former husband for my own safety, and l was able to get my tenancy changed from a joint to a solo one too. I was anxious about any of my details being passed on to him for obvious reasons. Thanks so much for your help!

Cadi

Reply 3

Leah SLC

Official Rep

Thanks for confirming. We would ask you to provide either a recent council tax bill, or a tenancy agreement (along with a copy of two household bills dated within the last 6 months), to prove you are separated. We wouldn't ask about your ex-husbands details at all. Thanks, Leah.