Young people who have stayed at home in order to save money before heading to university will now be able to access higher levels of government funding.
Higher education grants are assessed based on a student’s income, and so the amount of money awarded to applicants hinges on whether they are considered ‘dependent’ or ‘independent’ students.
Under the updated definition, which was approved by Education Minister Rob Ward earlier this month, students can now be considered financially independent if they have worked full-time in Jersey as an adult for at least three years, regardless of whether they lived with their parents during that period.
Full-time employment is defined as working at least 35 hours a week.
Previously, only Islanders who had lived separately from their parents for three years qualified as financially independent. The change is intended to recognise those who remained at home in order to save money.
A student who is classed as independent will not have their parents’ income considered in the awarding of their student finance grant.
Students are classed as independent if they:
- are aged 25 on or before 31 August in the year they start their degree;
- are married or in a civil partnership ;
- have been living financially independent from their parents for at least 3 years before the start of their degree;
- are or were a looked-after child;
- have a child; or
- are a care leaver.
For independent students, grant assessments are based on:
- Estimated gross income for the calendar year in which the academic year starts.
- Estimated gross income for your spouse, civil partner or a partner living with you.