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The role of parents, spouses and partners

What you need to know about your role and responsibilities if you're supporting a student through university or college.

What's expected of parents, spouses and partners?

If you are the parent, spouse or partner (sometimes referred to as 'sponsor') of a student, you may be expected to make a contribution toward their costs whilst they are at university or college.

Your local Student Finance NI office will determine whether or not you need to make a contribution, and the amount. Their decision will be based on the information you give when the student applies for a Student Loan, grant, or assistance with tuition fees. For an overview of the types of help students can get, see ‘Money for university'.

Making your contribution

If your local Student Finance NI office decide that you will need to make a contribution, they will assume that you are doing so. If you do not make this contribution, the student is unlikely to have sufficient money available to fund their study.

Providing household income details

You need to provide details of your household income to ensure the student receives the full amount of student loans, grants, and other help to which they are entitled. When you provide details of your income you will also need to submit original documentation as proof of income. For more information about what you need to do, see 'How to support a student finance application'.

How your contribution is assessed

When your local Student Finance NI office assess the application, they look at your income for the previous financial year. If there has been a significant drop in income it is possible that they will review your likely income for the current year. To find out more, see 'How income assessment works'.

Your privacy and that of the student

The Data Protection Act requires all your information, and that of the student, to be kept private. This means you are not entitled to information about the student's application for support, and they are not entitled to see information about your income.

If the student does not repay their student loan

The obligation to repay a student loan lies entirely with the student. Although you will be required to submit information relating to your income in order to support your child or partner's application for student support, this does not make you liable for any resulting debt. This remains the case if the student withdraws from higher education, their earnings do not reach the required level to initiate repayment, or if they die while still owing money.

Making enquiries or repayments on behalf of a student

If you would like to make enquiries on behalf of a student, they can give Student Finance NI permission to talk to you about their account. To find out more, contact Student Finance NI

If your personal or financial circumstances change

If your personal circumstances change, contact your local Student Finance NI office as soon as possible, as the amount you are expected to contribute may also change.

Changes to your marital status

If your marital status changes, your liability to support a student may also change. Contact your local Student Finance NI office to ensure that your contribution is correctly assessed. Changes could include:

  • becoming widowed, separated or divorced
  • getting married or moving in with a partner (of either sex)

If your income suddenly drops

If you have already been assessed and there is a sudden drop in your income, contact your local Student Finance NI office immediately in order for a re-assessment to take place. This may mean that the student will become entitled to more financial help from the government.