Student Finance, Self-Supported

A student can be considered independent if they supported themselves financially for at least three years (36 months) prior to the 1st day of the 1st academic year of the course. The three years can include periods when they were: in paid employment, in receipt of state benefits such as: Income Support, JSA, incapacity benefits, invalidity pension or maternity allowance, PIP or DLA. (this is not a exhaustive list). The three years of self-support does not need to be consecutive. However Student finance funding will not be taken into account when determining self-support. Stephen

Sorry, just to clarify: will not be taken into account as in I was not self-supported or “not be taken into account” as in they don’t factor in whether or not I used student finance during that time (and therefore will count as self-supported).

Just to check, can you please tell us when your course begins? When it does, will you be under 25?
Thanks, Graeme

Yes, my course starts in September and I will be 22. It’s an unsalaried PGCE course and I have a bachelors degree already. I have taken one year out where I’ve completely self supported myself but when I was living on my own during uni I both had a job and student finance - so I’m not sure if that will pass as “self-supported”.