Student with Scholarship: are Bank Statements Needed?

[siroc]

Hi,

I'm applying for EEA2 on the basis of my EEA national wife being a student in the UK. She is entitled to a scholarship of £600/month under the Erasmus programme. On form EEA2 it mentions:

...evidence of funds available to your EEA national family member such as a bank statement, a document confirming the receipt of a grant or scholarship, or a declaration of sufficient funds.

Given the key word here *or* would it be sufficient to send just her confirmation of scholarship grant with all relevant details? We are living now from that and savings in my Australian bank account (I'm still looking for work), is it of any use to send statements from that account even though it's in my name only?

Thanks again.

[Jambo]

I would be careful as it might backfire (because it's not accessible by her). I would stick to a signed declaration and maybe a confirmation of grant.

[siroc]

I would be careful as it might backfire (because it's not accessible by her). I would stick to a signed declaration and maybe a confirmation of grant.

Hi, a signed declaration that we are living from scholarship funds and joint savings? Or somehow otherwise?

[Jambo]

Something in those lines.

I would also add - "as required by the EEA Regulations (Regulation 4(d)(iii))" and also state "I declare I have sufficient resources not to become a burden on the social assistance system of the United Kingdom during my period of residence."

Just so the caseworker is aware that you are aware that a declaration is enough.

[bil123]

Hi,

I'm applying for EEA2 on the basis of my EEA national wife being a student in the UK. She is entitled to a scholarship of £600/month under the Erasmus programme. On form EEA2 it mentions:

...evidence of funds available to your EEA national family member such as a bank statement, a document confirming the receipt of a grant or scholarship, or a declaration of sufficient funds.

Given the key word here *or* would it be sufficient to send just her confirmation of scholarship grant with all relevant details? We are living now from that and savings in my Australian bank account (I'm still looking for work), is it of any use to send statements from that account even though it's in my name only?

Thanks again.

its either bank statment or grant/scohlarship evidence.I had the same case where i was refused from HO when I did not submit the bank statment but only submit grant letter and declaration but later on tribunal judge explains the "or" meanings to home office presenting oficer.Also I have received your message regarding CSI but i m not able to send private messages you can inbox me your email so I can answer you there.Thanks.

BIl

[siroc]

Alright then. Should it be an issue if my wife's scholarship grant documentation states only until December? She will actually receive the same grant next semester as well, but such is the process with the Eramsus exchange programme that the actual signing of the next grant wont take place until January. I'm going to send off my application in the next few days.

[Jambo]

I would avoid providing evidence that might work against you. It's very likely the application would be looked at after December (because of backlogs). Better not to give them an excuse for a refusal. I would state in the declaration the source of funding but without specifying an end date.

[siroc]

I would avoid providing evidence that might work against you. It's very likely the application would be looked at after December (because of backlogs). Better not to give them an excuse for a refusal. I would state in the declaration the source of funding but without specifying an end date.

But wont they need to see the document confirming grant of scholarship? I know it says OR a declaration of sufficient funds - but if I will mention through a scholarship, wouldn't it be logical that they would insist on seeing confirmation of that? It seems odd to me that they would simply accept a declaration of sufficient funds without any kind of backing...

If by the time they get around to reviewing my application the December end date has already passed - is that grounds for refusal? I would have thought, if anything, they would simply ask for an update on the current situation? Or am I mistaken here?

[sheraz7]

@siroc

Although the final choice always rest with an individual itself but if i am here then i prefer to make EEA national as qualified person by self sufficient which is quite simple and mainly require that whether the EEA national have access to funds. Although a student too have to demonstrate that he/she is self sufficient but it need more evidences and its interrelating evidences such as scholarship proof, university enrolment, declaration etc. And as you said previously that your EEA partner has enrolment til december then be know that application can takes 6/6+ months.
Since you and EEA national have bank accounts with some saving and you hold the CSI which cover both of you (as you said in other post) then you can still simply use self sufficiency instead of student. An EEA national can become self sufficient on any income/saving with no fixed threshold (it is totally up to your own discretion).

[Jambo]

I suggest you read ages 29-34 of the modernised guidance. Page 33 in particular.

I would risk getting a refusal because the caseworker is not happy with the declaration than getting a refusal because the funding ended shortly after the applying (in theory you would expect them to contact you. In practice they just refuse the application).

[siroc]

Thanks sheraz7 and Jambo for the advice.

Jambo - one thing regarding the information about written declarations on page 33, it states:

If the applicant chooses to make a declaration you must advise them to confirm they meet the above requirements relating to enough resources.

If the declaration is not clear or detailed enough to confirm they meet these requirements you must either:

 request further information, or
 refuse the application.

The part "not clear or detailed enough" appears somewhat ambiguous to me. I mean is it sufficient to state the sources of funding available to the EEA national, how this meets out combined needs for rent, utilities, food etc. and that we will not become a burden on the social benefits system?

Or would you infer that they want the hard details - i.e. to know the EEA national has £X coming from source A and £Y coming from source B - and from these the following sums are devoted to rent, utilities, food etc. on a monthly basis?

Perhaps I'm over-analysing it all, but I just want to make sure that I'm leaving no room for problems once I send off my application.

[Jambo]

I don't have personal experience in such application but I would go for a general statement detailing the source of income (and the figures if they are reasonable). I would state this is enough to cover your living costs without a break down of the costs.