Potential student living with step dad

My stepson lives with me in Scotland and has done since his mum and I separated. When he applies for student funding later this year whose income will his eligibility be based on ? Will it be mine even though he is my step son or his mums even though she does not live with us ?

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

PS Reviewer

Original post by ScottishStepdad1

Student finance is very simplistic.
His household income will be based on the household income of either his mother or father (if they’re separated). It doesn’t matter who he actually lives with.
It does mean that if his mother is living with a new partner then that person will need to provide income information for your stepson’s “household” income to be assessed.

Reply 2

ScottishStepdad1

Thanks for the quick reply. So what you’re saying is that despite him living solely with me, his entitlement would be based solely on the income of his mother’s household and not mine where he has actually lived ?

Reply 3

PS Reviewer

Original post by ScottishStepdad1

yep - like I say student finance rules are very simplistic and rigid. Students who live with someone other than their parents (whether that's kinship carers like siblings or grandparents or situations like your step son) are still assessed based on the household income of their parent.

I suspect it's a combination of a lack of imagination from the government when writing the laws and a fear that if they did put in exceptions that some applicants would try to use that to get increased funding.

Is he still on speaking terms with his mum? If he's estranged (as in not in contact in any way) then there's other rules that come into play.

Reply 4

ScottishStepdad1

Original post by PQ

yep - like I say student finance rules are very simplistic and rigid. Students who live with someone other than their parents (whether that's kinship carers like siblings or grandparents or situations like your step son) are still assessed based on the household income of their parent.
I suspect it's a combination of a lack of imagination from the government when writing the laws and a fear that if they did put in exceptions that some applicants would try to use that to get increased funding.
Is he still on speaking terms with his mum? If he's estranged (as in not in contact in any way) then there's other rules that come into play.

Thanks for the additional information. He is still in contact with her so I’d assume from what your saying that none of the special circumstances would apply in his case.