Studying any higher education course can be a financial strain - especially if you come from a low income household and won't have much to contribute to your years of study. Government grants for higher education students were introduced to help bridge this gap, provided you take out the full student loan amount offered by Student Finance.
Government grants for education are based entirely on financial income. This is normally your household income for the tax year two years previous, or current tax year if your circumstances have significantly changed. The criteria and "line" between each amount you can receive is very strict with no flexibility.
Independent Students
The grant is available for independent students who have been living alone for more than 3 years (or with a partner). Your parents income is not counted as an independent student. However, you must provide 3 years of financial evidence to support your application and must have earned a combined £21,000 to be considered independent; if you earn £4,000 more you will actually receive less. If you're under 25 and want to be considered independent you'll be luckily to squeeze into this tight spot to receive your grant, so you're better off asking a family member to be your dependent unless you have a social worker or a report stating estrangement from your parents/death.
Dependent Students
For students who are not independent your household income for government grants for education will be assessed on your parent's income, or your guardian's combined household income. They will have to provide financial evidence and you won't have to provide anything usually.
Grant Amounts
The current threshold for grants is set at:
£25,000 or below: Full grant of £2906.
Up to £30,000: £1906
Up to £34,000: £1106
Up to £40,000: £711
Up to £45,000: £381
Up to £50,020: £50
Over £50,020: No grant given.
