Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 5. March 30 1981
Anomalies of Parental Testing
Anomalies of Parental Testing
If you are under 20 years, you may have less chance of getting any SHG. Not only are your own financial circumstances assessed, but also those of your parents, as they are expected to contribute to your upkeep. While some parents may not mind supporting their adult "children", what about students whose parents can't or won't do so? Perhaps they already have too many financial obligations, or, for any number of reasons, are unable or unwilling to help.
The Department of Education says that it takes such factors into consideration, but why then are students whose parents refuse to sign the form being denied any grant at all, and why are solo parents and those on Social Welfare benefits being asked to provide more money? One student was even advised he should move out of his mother's house where he was helping her by paying rent, so she could get a more lucrative boarder, and so assist her son.