I understand that student loans count as income when assessing financial eligibility for legal help. However, does a bursary/grant paid to a student to study count as income? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
I think you do, too. References to student bursary/grant is made in the Funding Code, first 5.1 (General) defines income, then 5.2 (Erratic Income), point 5 specifically refs student grants and bursaries and how to treat them, as below: 2E-010 5. Assessing Gross Income 5.1 General
3. "Income" means the total income from all sources which a person has received or may reasonably expect to receive in respect of the calendar month up to and including the date of the application for funding. In determining gross income all income must be included whether from employment, state benefits or elsewhere, e.g. assistance from friends or relatives.
5.2 Erratic Income (including the self employed) 5. In relation to parental contributions to students, student grants (this will therefore include bursaries) and student loans these should be treated as income by taking the annual payment or contribution obtained by the student and dividing by 12.
