The government generally consider that students are 'dependent' on their household up to the age of 25.  The undergraduate student loan awarded to a student is determined by the household income where a student is under 25 unless they can prove that they are an Independent Student.  

If the household income is assessed as relatively high, the loan amount is reduced and the household is expected to make up the shortfall. If students have not been income assessed, they will automatically receive the minimum loan amount.  To request an income assessment see information from Student Finance - Include Household Income in your Student Finance Application

In some cases, it may happen that the household cannot or does not contribute financially to a dependent student.  Whatever the reason for this, BU is not able to replace the assessed household contribution.  Students can still apply for support through the BU Financial Support Fund, however the assessment will count the household contribution as being in place regardless of whether it is being paid or not.

For students with a lower maintenance loan who do not receive support from their households, it is generally advised that they should make sure that their family understand the student finance system and how the maintenance loan is calculated.  The household may choose not to contribute, but in some cases they may not have recognised that the student is awarded a lower maintenance loan due to their income assessment.

Please check out our Financial Wellbeing pages for lots of useful information and resources to support your financial situation.

In addition to mainstream Government and BU funds, it is possible to receive further support from external trusts, charities and grants. Find out where you can look up relevant funding to your situation.

We also strongly recommend that you visit the Students' Union money advice webpage where you can read about general budgeting tips and advice on how to make your funds go further.