how do you live off student loans if it all goes on rent

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I think that that many parents sub their children by keeping them rent free during holidays and giving them a small allowance (£100 per month?) during term time. After all, if they were living at home and working, very few parents would be charging a level of "keep" that cover all that it costs for them to live there.

As has been said before, if money is tight then sensible choices need to be made as to the university and the accommodation. The loan is only supposed to support someone for 40 weeks a year, which makes the amount allowed more feasible.

Finally, students need to accept that they won't have as much money as their friends who are working full time and that your student days are not the time for designer clothes, expensive gadgetry and (necessarily) running a car. With some parental help, most students shouldn't need to work more than about 12 hours a week.

Students have to move out of halls in year 2.
Students loans covered rent and food in halls , but will only just cover rent in a student house. (Rent is payable for the full 52 weeks) Then they will have to pay gas, electric and buy food.

Working through the holidays, saving up helps ands a small part time job when they go back isn't always enough. Jobs can be hard to come by as there are lots of students wanting part time work.

Wiggynut wrote: »

why does it have to be student housing?
(I have noticed that student housing is sometimes advertised at a higher rate of rent than 'normal' rented accommodation.

just rent a room in a house/flat - if it's near the Uni then you will probably find other students living there too!
(that's what I'm doing myself)

He is renting a room in a house. It was just the name I gave to it. My mistake sorry.

a lot depends on the student accommodation. many student landlords offer 10 month contracts with the summer off, since students often go home and it gives them time to get any repair/redecoration work done. rent in these months can sometimes be reduced since workmen have access. usually, halls are far more expensive than rented houses, since they seem to all have en-suite facilities and 'luxuries' like that

gas and electric bills can be kept down - timers, jumpers (!) and being aware are the most useful things. i'm in a shared house and some people have moved in without much of a clue of what it costs and think nothing of leaving the heating on all day 'so it's warm when they get in from work'. nice of us to pay for that! the first year of living independently in a house is usually a very important eye-openner into the real cost of living.

i'm still a postgrad student and have limited income. it's a case of 'needs must'. i can't live in the nicest part of the city (not that i'm in a dump), i can't have a nice toasty house all through winter, i can't afford a flat on my own, i can't afford an en-suite room etc etc. it is almost always possible to find somewhere to live within a student budget (my monthly outgoings are about 40% less than halls!), but the student has to be prepared that the place won't have the same creature comforts as they probably get at their parents' place.

My daughter has really struggled this year - she did not manage despite trying, to get a part-time job and had to live off beans on toast! She was advised at the beginning of the year to go to the Access to Learning Fund but she didn't and so when push came to shove, she found herself behind on her rent. I have been a student myself this past year, and have not been in a position to support her financially. Even those with very poor parents get no more than others - they just get a smaller loan and a bigger grant - which is no additional help to them when they need the money ie now!!! It just means they owe less at the end of it when they hopefully will have a job - so it is not a very good system to encourage more poor students.

Anyway, daughter is hoping to get a job this year - going back before freshers, to hopefully stand a better chance. If not, then she has learned her lesson and will be applying for a hardship grand from the university - otherwise she won't be able to eat or pay any bills.

I chose the most expensive city in the world to go to uni in, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Guaranteed, I worked before uni and started work again in my 2nd year so I could afford to live a comfortable life. I also get £160 off my parents a month (this covers 1.5 weeks of rent). I know friends who get nothing from their rents or some who get loads. I however, have a difficult situation and had to actually sue my father for maintenance (long story - walked away from family, owes mother £25,000 in CSA etc). I really do encourage people, if they can, to get a job during term time. I work part time as a nanny in Wimbledon and although it's difficult, I feel like I get a real sense of money, I earn £80 a week so this REALLY helps. I also really enjoy the fact I can escape the uni life and meet and talk to other people. I love uni, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. A job seemed to really help me out, in terms of socialising and money.

My sister was too ill with ME to work during uni but she worked the odd summer holidays temping, so even if you can't work during term time, there are always holidays!