Student finance: evidence parents and partners submit :Cross Stitch – Education and learning

If you’re the parent or partner of a student applying for finance you may need to submit evidence along with their application. This may be evidence of your income or your circumstances. Find out what evidence you need to submit.

Student Finance EnglandPO Box 210DarlingtonDL1 9HJ

For all income-assessed finance (grants, bursaries and the full Maintenance Loan), parents or partners need to give evidence of their income and circumstances.

Parents send in evidence if a student is classed as ‘dependent’. Students under 25 are usually classed as ‘dependent’, even if they don’t live with their parents.

All parents or partners need to give evidence of:

  • earned income
  • unearned income, such as income from savings and investments

Depending on their circumstances, parents or partners may also need to give evidence of:

  • divorce or separation
  • dependent children
  • outgoings

Parents and partners provide financial details for the 2010-11 tax year if they’re supporting a 2012/13 application and details for the 2009-10 tax year if they’re supporting a 2011/12 application.

In most cases, income evidence for new student applications in 2011/12 and 2012/13 can be collected through a parents’ or partner’s National Insurance number if they submit their details online.

If it’s not possible to work out your income online you may need to send photocopies of your:

If you’re expecting a 15 per cent drop or more in your income, you can ask to be assessed on the current tax year. The current year income assessment form should be completed along with the online application. The form for 2012/13 will be available in April 2012.

If you have income that’s not earned you may need to send evidence from the previous tax year (2010-11 for 2012/13 applications and 2009-10 for 2011/12).

Unearned income includes:

  • interest from savings
  • benefits
  • pensions
  • rent from property or a room

If you’re asked to send evidence of unearned income this can include photocopies of the following:

  • self assessment tax return
  • statements showing interest or investments
  • income details from an accountant
  • pension book or letter
  • P60s
  • benefit book (first three pages) or official letter

If you’re divorced or separated, you need to submit a clear copy of one of the following:

  • divorce – Decree Nisi, Decree Absolute
  • dissolution of a civil partnership – civil partnership dissolution order
  • confirmation from a solicitor of your marital status
  • Council Tax bill showing the 25 per cent discount for single occupancy (as evidence that you are now separated)

If you are married or living with a partner you don’t need to send evidence of this.

If you have dependent children (other than the student you are supporting), you should declare this but do not need to send any evidence.