How can I be classed as independent?

How can I be assessed as independent? For context, I am a 24 year old. I have been living away from home in a different country for more than 5 years. Student finance wishes to know how I supported myself. Initially my boyfriend at that time supported me financially for a few months until I found a job and then I’ve been independent ever since.

They are saying employment evidence is not sufficient to cover 3 full years before the start of the course. My course began on September 2023. So I’m missing a couple of months of financial evidence because in that period of time my boyfriend was supporting me. They suggested I make my boyfriend my sponsor but we’re not together anymore.

They asked for my parents details in order to receive the maximum amount of maintenance loan and be household income assessed, but I don’t have contact with my parents. My relationship with them has always been a rollercoaster but for the past months I’ve not had contact with them.

They were my sponsors for 1st year of study, but because my relationship with them isn’t good I can’t contact them for their financial information. I’m desperate, otherwise I wouldn’t be seeking help online. Cost of living is so high, I only work part time at the moment because my modules have been getting really intense.

There‘s days where I don’t eat, I’m gonna be honest. It’s really bad. I’d rather pay rent and know I’ve got a place to live, but in terms of food I’m barely making it. This situation has me stressed out. I reached out to my social worker and they advised me to drop out of school and “get a real job”. Saying that school isn’t gonna get me anywhere and it’s a waste of time… well thank you very much… what can I do?

What are my options? I didn’t know my relationship with parents will be affected and thought I could provide their details again, but that’s not the case. I’m suffering and I don’t know what to do. Maybe the full maintenance loan isn’t gonna solve all my problems but it sure gonna help me eat proper food… so… how can I be considered independent?

Reply 1

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Can a professional provide a letter confirming that you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents?

This could be your social worker or if they’re unhelpful then someone from your university

Reply 2

Drew SLC

Official Rep

Hi there,

You can apply as an estranged student. Would you have a third party who has good standing in the community who could support the estrangement form?

Thanks, Drew

Reply 3

Cherryblosom

Original post

by Drew SLC

Hi there,
You can apply as an estranged student. Would you have a third party who has good standing in the community who could support the estrangement form?
Thanks, Drew

Hi Drew,

I asked my social worker for help but they refused me. Because of no proof they do not wish to get involved. But I don’t understand what kind of proof is needed of no contact? If I’m not having contact how can I prove that? No texts, no calls…. No interaction… how to prove something that doesn’t exist.

I can see where they coming from, I would also doubt the credibility of someone saying something to me without any proof, but I asked them to consider my case as well, I wish I had proof… if only I had a proof would make things so much easier. I have proof I have been living away from home and different country for more than 5 years. But for the relationship with my parents there’s no proof. There were arguments but that was over the phone, long time ago and i didn’t record the argument …?

I’m genuinely confused and don’t know what proof I will need.

Reply 4

Cherryblosom

Original post

by PQ

Can a professional provide a letter confirming that you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents?
This could be your social worker or if they’re unhelpful then someone from your university

Hi,

Unfortunately I have been refused by my social worker. Can I ask help from a tutor, or who should I ask for help at university? Sorry for asking it’s because I don’t know how this process goes. Is there a specific person I need to find at university? Or it can be my tutor? Thank you.

Reply 5

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by Cherryblosom

Your tutor would be fine.

It just needs a letter explaining your situation and confirming that you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents.

Reply 6

Stephen SLC

Official Rep

Hi there, the third party needs to be ‘an independent person of good standing in the community’ who knows the details of the estrangement. This can be:

•

a university/college lecturer

•

a teacher

•

a support worker

•

a social worker

•

a doctor

•

a solicitor

•

a welfare advisor

•

the university named contact for estranged students

In place of the Confirmation of Estrangement Declaration Form -
Found here: https://www.sfengland.slc.co.uk/estrangement/
You can also provide a letter from a person of good standing in the community, as detailed above.

This letter should confirm the following;

•

Their relationship to the student and the length of time they have known you