NHS Bursary - Independent Status

**amy2705598** · 03-02-2007, 05:13 AM

I have just found out that we are no longer automatically considered as independent students once we become 25. They have removed the age factor, and to be independent you have to have supported yourself for at least three years, be married, have no traceable / alive parents, or have children. This means that although I will be 26 /27 in my final year, I will still be classed as a dependent student, and will be means tested on my parents income. http://www.nhspa.gov.uk/sgu/News/200...2007)%20v2.pdf

I had no idea that this was changing. I will probably be entitled to no NHS bursary as my parents earn over the limits (although are still not in a position to really be able to help me out financially), and I am now panicking about how I am going to fund myself. I know that the bursary was only worth about half the normal student loan amount, and everyone was also entitled to a 50% non-means tested student loan. I am confused about if you are not eligible for the NHS bursary are you entitled to a full student loan instead? Can anyone please help as I am finding it difficult to understand exactly how much support I would be entitled to

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**Fizzwizz** · 03-02-2007, 05:27 AM

Slightly off track but .... IMO the NHS bursary is a waste of time. I got more money in my 1st year!!!
(feeling compelled to whinge spontaneously!!)
Best wishes ... Fizz

**Balder** · 03-02-2007, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by amy2705598

I have just found out that we are no longer automatically considered as independent students once we become 25. They have removed the age factor, and to be independent you have to have supported yourself for at least three years, be married, have no traceable / alive parents, or have children.

If this is true, it is outrageous. What someone on blairwatch referred to as New Labour Encephalopathy.

**exms** · 03-02-2007, 03:45 PM

Without offence, it doesn't seem that outrageous to me. If you haven't supported yourself independently then why should you be considered independent?

-- A.

**Everhopeful** · 03-02-2007, 05:38 PM

I think I may have to divorce my husband as my parents income is tiny as they're retired! I'd love the state to work it out on theirs as I have't been dependent on them for over 20 yrs!

I could gripe too about the fact that the hubbie pays the size of a small mortgage to a son from a previous marriage but thats ignored for all income purposes even though he has no choice in paying it (and doesn't begrudge it anyway), but it does seem unfair that it's not taken into account and deducted from his income as it means he can't contribute anything to maintaining me at med school, and I've got to save myself to fund myself the whole way thru as the state gives me zilch except loans!

**bonkors** · 03-02-2007, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by amy2705598

I have just found out that we are no longer automatically considered as independent students once we become 25. They have removed the age factor.................I had no idea that this was changing

I did, but i didnt know how it would affect mature medical school applicants. I am still waiting to see how else the age discrimination regulations are going to affect medical schools as they cant make reference to age anymore.

The first line of the document states that the change is as a direct result of this new Age Equality Regulations. I wonder if med schools are re-drafting their prospectuses for 2008 entry as almost all of their prospectuses fall foul of this new law. I await the 2008 prospectus.
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**exms** · 03-02-2007, 06:07 PM

The current bursary also has an Old Farts allowance (extra money that maxes out at age 29). I assume that this will also go... be interesting to see the Bursary docs when they update them.

-- A.

**Meg01** · 03-02-2007, 06:22 PM

I'm a bit confused about this, when i read about the changes I didn't interpret it this way. I supported myself for 2 years before I went back to uni (a 3rd during my MSc year although apparently that doesn't count). I'll be 28/29 in my final year, having supported myself the entire time through working - I always assumed I'd get the full whack from the NHS, surely my parents won't have to declare an income??? This is crazy!

EDIT: ok probably only applies to new students - but still utterly crazy!

**Balder** · 03-02-2007, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by exms

Without offence, it doesn't seem that outrageous to me. If you haven't supported yourself independently then why should you be considered independent?
-- A.

What offence? That is rather like saying 'with all due respect' - a feigned courtesy that implies none.

Ah, I misread the news bulletin on account of too much vino - it only applies to new students. I was thinking of people in Meg01's position, who despite having lived independently of their parents for several years during academia and even worked for a couple of years, would still be caught out. This is not so, however, and I respectfully withdraw my outrageous accusation.

**Meg01** · 03-02-2007, 08:01 PM

Yep, there are always a few people who get caught in the middle of these cut offs, inevitably. In my case, my MSc (which I paid for and supported myself) meant I wasn't considered to have supported myself for three years and hence now allowed independent status for the student loan (and not surprisingly my parents told me to take a hike!!).

If I had been a year later with everything and not already started, this NHS change would affect me. The implication of being non-independent is that your parents make up the financial difference, which is uttely ridiculous at this age, and in my case, and many others, just meant I went without.

However, the slight bit of hope is that such a sob story looks great on any charity/hardship applications you may make - this year I got more money in grants than I would have been loaned by the SLC, so not all is lost!!