What am I entitled to?

[jp_2031]

Hey; im a full time student. I go into university 5 days a week, paying £80 travel per month.
Currently, I get £260 a month bursary, and £170 loan; however I am being forced to take this loan...
The full loan amount goes to my parents for rent, leaving me with £260 a month, and putting myself £170 more in debt every month. By the end of University, i reckon i'll be about 6k in debt because of rent...
Work is hard to get these days for students... I've been applying everywhere all summer with no success. Not just this, but because I live away from Uni, i cant get back in time for a part time job locally!
Right; my sister says I might be entitled to Housing Benefits, because I'm renting a room from my parents, anyone got any idea if this is correct? And would it effect my initial bursary? I don't care about the loan, i would rather not take it.
My parents get nothing for me staying with them, which is why they take the rent from me.
Thanks
Jp

[ummmm]

Not sure but I don't think you would qualify for housing benefit.

[poodicat]

My son is unemployed,he doesnt get housing benefit as he lives with me...

[redcrx]

as far as Im aware you cannot claim housing benefit to pay your parents (or family)

you are entitled to take out student loans which you wont have to pay back until you earn over a set figure in salary, and at a low rate of interest. Perhaps you could work weekends to earn extra

[hc4361]

No housing benefit entitlement.

Who isn't eligible

You can't usually get Housing Benefit if:

* you have savings of over £16,000, unless you are getting the 'guarantee credit' of Pension Credit
* you live in the home of a close relative
* you're a full-time student (unless you're disabled or have children)

http://www.direct.gov...ow_income/DG_10018926

[jp_2031]

Thanks All :)

[bushbaby_de]

I'm confused by the part where you say you are being forced to take the loan. You do not have to take a student loan if you don't want to. I also think its unfair that your parents are taking the whole amount - your loan entitlement is reduced when you stay at home to reflect cheaper accommodation costs, which implies that a proportion of it is intended for other living costs. However you do have £260 a month bursary to live off so not quite sure why you need a lot more money than that? My last comment is that you only start paying the loan off once you are earning over a certain amount, so try not to worry about it too much.

[factor-fiction]

I'm not sure you are forced to take the loan unles syou mean the loan for student fees.
No you can't get housing benefit, whether you live at home or anywhere else. The maintenance loan is to cover living costs such as accommodation

[Prudie]

The salary figure at which you have to start repaying student loans is £15K. The average student leaves with a debt of £20K.