Estrangement

Summary

The requester asked for a 10-year breakdown of students receiving independent finance awards due to estrangement from parents. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture confirmed that all requested information was sent, providing figures for students granted independent status per academic year with a note on potential data overlap.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 20 January 2026 and responded to on 6 February 2026.
• The authority confirmed that all information requested was sent to the applicant.
• The data covers the total number of students granted independent status in each academic year over the last 10 years.
• The response notes that figures may overlap because students can retain independent status for multiple years.
• The response explains that status may change due to course completion, early departure, or family reconciliation.

Data Disclosed

• 20 January 2026
• 6 February 2026
• 5243520
• 10 years
• three years
• one or two years

Original Request

I would like to know how many students have received independent student finance awards in the last 10 years on the basis that they are estranged from their parents. If possible I would like the figure broken down by year so I can see if the number is increasing or decreasing.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Policy, Strategy and Governance Division Department of Education, Sport and Culture Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road St Johns IM4 3AS

Telephone: (01624) 685808 Website: www.gov.im/dec Email: dec@foi.gov.im

Our ref: 5243520 6 February 2026

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 20 January 2026, which states:

"I would like to know how many students have received independent student finance awards in the last 10 years on the basis that they are estranged from their parents. If possible I would like the figure broken down by year so I can see if the number is increasing or decreasing."

Our response to your request is as follows:

By way of advice and assistance the figures shown in the table represent the total number of students who have been granted independent status in each academic year. It's important to note that these numbers might overlap, as some students could retain independent status throughout their entire university course, which may last three years. Others may only qualify for independent status for one or two years,

perhaps due to leaving their course early or experiencing a change in their personal circumstances, such as reconciling with family in later years.

Please quote the reference number 5243520 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.