Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the level of barriers faced by estranged students when accessing student finance; and whether she will take steps to simplify the application process and evidential requirements for those students.

The government recognises that estranged students suffer from financial barriers to study, are more likely to suffer negative effects from high cost of living, work more paid hours whilst studying compared with other student groups and have higher rates of course withdrawal.

Students who are estranged from their parents are treated as independent students, which means their entitlement to loans for living costs is based on their own household income rather than that of their parents.

This means that most estranged students will qualify for the maximum loans for living costs, which are increasing in line with forecast inflation every academic year from 2026/27 onwards.

From the 2028/29 service year, we are reintroducing maintenance grants of up to £1,000 per year for full-time students from low-income households, such as estranged students who are studying courses aligned with the government's missions and Industrial Strategy.

Evidence of estrangement is needed to ensure that students receive their correct entitlement to student support. Students can either submit a Confirmation of Estrangement Form or a supporting statement to Student Finance England, both of which must be completed by an independent third party with good standing in the community.

The step-by-step application process for estranged students, together with a link to the Confirmation of Estrangement Form, is set out in detail on GOV.UK and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-for-student-finance-as-an-estranged-student/applying-for-student-finance-as-an-estranged-student. The government reviews guidance and the application processes on an ongoing basis.