Mature Student Help With Finance Wanted

WOWICANDOIT

I Have Just Accepted A Place On A Nhs Radiography Course Due To Start In September, The Course Has A Means Tested Bursary Which I Hopefully Will Receive . I Work Part Time And I Receive Working Family Tax Credit And Child Tax Credit As I Am A Single Mother. I Wish To Keep Up Work As It Is 18 Hours A Week And I Feel I Can Manage Both.
Will My Bursary Affect The Tax Credits I Receive.
Also What Other Help Will I Be Able To Get Being A Lone Parent And Being A Student
Thanks In Advance For Any Help.

Pippilongstocking

Um - lone parent, student (still) person myself - I think that your WTFC are unaffected - I have a 'bursary' which is like a salary and also work p/t and when renewing my credits they told me that the bursary didn't count only the earnings- but might have had cotton wool in my ears - they are ace if you phone them. V helpful. And make sure whatever tax you have to pay as a student is right, I haven't sorted that bit yet (ahem)

Also depending on where you live - One Parent Families Scotland has an 'education' officer person who knows about all of those things. And even if you don't live up here, then their info is pretty good and you must have an equivilent type organisation where you are.

Or you could try 'entitledto' google it - think its linked here somewhere sure that's where I got it from - check the benefits board bit of here and the site.

Good luck with the means tested grant thing, (i hope you get it) there's a book in local libraries of all trust funds and things available (forgot the name, its out every year - most uni's etc have one) and loads of websites - I;d sit down with a cuppa and do a google search - alot depend on where you live - ie I can apply for a certain grant cos I was born in Dundee - often trusts and things have 'funny' criteria which you might fit.

There are also often 'hardship funds' or extra help with studying where you are doing your course, don't be shy and ask, because they can go quick or (oddly) sometimes folk just don't apply.

Thus far I have had help with childcare, fees and other things - it pays to talk to the student advisor person - they usually know about these type of htings, and its ok to do it before you start and quite sensible - its your experience so make it as finanically secure as you can to let you enjoy the experience and allow you to get your head down.

Having studied effectively since i was made a single parent, I have foudn the experience rewarding, challenging and down right fun......... I kids respect you for challenging yourself whether its working or studying.

Go for it - happy to help if I can (have been told I am a perpetual student)

Pippilongstocking

Reading this back tho' its clearly not helped my spelling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And don't forget to register for as many bits of student discount etc as you can.