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My student status
Before applying, identify whether or not you are an ‘independent student’, and whether you will be applying for the maximum amount of student finance available or just the student finance that doesn’t depend on your household income.
You are an ‘independent student’ if
- You are over 25 when you commence your studies;
- You have been married or entered into a civil partnership before you start your course;
- You have supported yourself financially for at least three years before you start your course;
- You have a child or children, under the age of 18, in your care at the start of your course; or
- You have no living parents.
From September 2006, any full-time student who has care of a child or children on the first day of the academic year for which they are applying for student finance will be treated as an independent student for the purposes of the household income assessment.
If you identify yourself as an independent student and are married or in a civil partnership, your spouse or partner's income will also be taken into account.
You are a ‘dependent student’ if
You live in your parental home and/ or rely on at least one of your parents for financial support. For example, if you live with both of your parents, both their incomes will be taken into account when assessing your application for student finance that depends on your household income.
If you live with only one of your parents, then only that parent’s income is taken into account. Though, if that parent lives with a spouse or partner (of either sex), this person’s income will also be taken into account.
Further information to help you decide is available in the section entitled, How much will it cost me to complete my course?.
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