Some examples of whether a student is to be classed as a sharer:
|
Category |
Sharer (Yes/No) |
|
a single student residing alone in a flat, apartment, or house |
No |
|
a single student in a flat, apartment, or house sharing one or more major areas of accommodation with at least one other person |
Yes |
|
a single student living in a boarding house or house who receives regular meals as part of the board and lodging arrangements and does not pay extra for the meals |
No |
|
a single student living in a boarding house or house who has to pay extra for meals |
Yes |
|
a single student living in a university hall of residence and who receives meals without having to pay extra |
No |
|
a single student living in a university hall of residence who has to pay extra for meals |
Yes |
|
a student at a boarding school |
No |
Notes:
- a single boarder and lodger who can separately identify the costs of rent (from that of meals) and shares a major area of accommodation (bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom) may be assessed as a sharer;
- a single person who has exclusive right to use a bathroom, a kitchen and a bedroom and has the right to use other areas such as a lounge area, is not to be treated as a sharer;
- care should be taken with sharers that the Rent Assistance is calculated only on the amount actually contributed by the student, not the whole amount payable by the household.
Students are to complete a rent assistance application form and provide supporting documentation as evidence of the amount of their rent, e.g. copy of lease or a rental receipt.
Students are obliged to advise VCES if they change address/ accommodation and to provide new evidence of rent or board being paid. A new Rent Assistance application should then be submitted and VCES / MRCAETS Secretaries adjust the amount accordingly.