The income assessed elements available to postgraduate course students are calculated using different income periods depending on whose income is applicable and which elements you're applying for. Please see the following table for guidance:
Your income |
Your spouse / partner / civil partner's income |
Your child's income |
|
Maintenance Grant |
Net unearned income from the current academic year* |
Gross residual taxable income from the last tax year |
Not taken into account |
Childcare Allowance (CCA) |
Not taken into account |
Net income from the last tax year |
Net income from the last tax year |
Parent's Learning Allowance (PLA) |
Not taken into account |
Net income from the last tax year |
Net income from the last tax year |
Adult Dependants Allowance (ADA)** |
Not taken into account |
Net income from the last tax year |
Net income from the last tax year |
* Academic year - If your academic year begins in the Autumn the relevant income period is 1 September to 31 August, or for Winter starters this is 1 January to 31 December.
** If the adult dependant is not your spouse / partner / civil partner - Your adult dependant's net income from the current academic year will be taken into account.
Definition of terms
Net income
Net income is the balance of income remaining in any one year after deductions have been made for tax, National Insurance (NI), private pension contributions, employee pension contributions, additional voluntary pension contributions and any other expenses relating to employment (if allowed for tax purposes).
Unearned income
Unearned income means income not gained through employment or self employment, such as income received from property, trust funds, pensions or benefits.
Gross residual taxable income
Gross residual taxable income is the balance of total taxable income remaining in any one year after deductions have been made for private pension contributions, employee pension contributions, additional voluntary pension contributions and any other expenses relating to employment (if allowed for tax purposes). This doesn't include any deductions for tax or National Insurance (NI).