If you have little or no contact with your parents, you may be able to apply for SFE as an independent student rather than having your Maintenance Loan calculated using your parents' income.

This can make a massive difference to the finances available.

When are you considered estranged?

SFE generally considers you estranged if you are under 25, have had no verbal or written contact with your parents for at least 12 months, and that situation is unlikely to change.

The 12-month rule is not completely rigid. If there has been limited contact during that period, you can still apply and explain the circumstances. Your case will be considered individually.

Simply living away from your parents, arguing with them or receiving no financial support from them does not automatically make you estranged.

What changes if you're accepted?

The difference is that your parents' income is no longer used to assess your student finance.

You will normally need to declare your estrangement again when you reapply for Student Finance each academic year, although whether further evidence is required is considered case by case.

What evidence will you need?

They would typically ask for evidence from an independent person who knows about your circumstances.

This could potentially include someone such as:

  • a teacher or university staff member
  • a social worker
  • a doctor or other healthcare professional
  • a counsellor
  • a housing or support worker
  • another relevant professional who knows about your family situation

You can complete Student Finance England's Confirmation of Estrangement Form, or provide a supporting statement from an appropriate independent third party.

If you do not have straightforward professional evidence, don't assume that you cannot apply. Explain the situation in your application; Student Finance can consider the circumstances and may ask for other information.

You can be independent for other reasons too

Estrangement is only one route to independent status.

For Student Finance England, you may also be treated as independent in circumstances such as being 25 or older, being married or in a civil partnership, having responsibility for a child, having supported yourself financially for a sufficient period before your course, or having been in local-authority care. The exact rules depend on your circumstances.

Don't stop at Student Finance

Estranged students may also qualify for support directly from their university.

Look for estranged-student bursaries, hardship funds, accommodation support and year-round housing arrangements. Universities vary considerably, so contact the student funding or welfare team and explain that you are an independent or estranged student.

The main point is that not having parents who can provide financial information or support should not prevent you from applying for student finance. If you are genuinely estranged, make Student Finance aware of it rather than submitting an application based on parental income that does not reflect your circumstances.