Mo.No wrote:My answers for question 7.5 about working in the UK is No, as I am a full time PhD student and I am not working. But it seems that there is not other place to show that I am in receipt of an academic maintenance stipend!
These forms are just not designed with PhD students in mind I'm afraid. I was in a very similar situation last year (albeit I was applying under the normal Section 7A financial requirements). I just wrote explanatory text about my situation in the empty spaces around the relevant boxes. In the end I still had to argue my point with a caseworker over the phone because apparently my explanation was 'unclear'. (I explained it in like four different places and he still didn't get it. Thankfully I actually knew that particular rule almost by the letter.)
I even complained to HO after my leave was granted and they replied that it's not their priority to adjust the form, because they receive so few cases of students using their stipends on FLR(M). Unbelievable, but true.
In my
PERSONAL OPINION, I would fill in £14,000 in the box next to the "Are you working in the UK" even though you ticked "No", but then use the empty space to the left of that box to explain that this is a tax-free student maintenance stipend and that you are a full-time PhD student. Also attach a letter from your university to confirm the amount, that it is tax-free, and your course end date.
