Help for non-graduate parents please!

jennyjelly

We are proud as punch that DS1 did well in his A levels and is off to his 1st choice uni in a few weeks. We've done all the finance application stuff but haven't heard yet how much he will be getting.

Someone said to us yesterday that they believed that if neither of his parents had been to uni he could get some extra financial help, but I can't find anything about this on any official site.

Does anyone know if there is any truth in the rumour, and if so could you point us in the right direction to find out more please?

Thanks.

Oldernotwiser

Some individual universities offer scholarships to students in your son's position but as far as I know there's no extra help generally. I'd have a look at their website or give their Student Finance department a ring.

By the way, congratulations!

jennyjelly

Thanks for that, will ring the uni.

Lovaabargain

Neither dh nor I went to Uni & ds1 has just confirmed his place at his first choice University but I haven't heard of any extra help available, as the above poster has said the individual universities may offer scholarships- I know in my son's case in order to get the scholarship he needed to get better grades than the grades he needed just to get into uni i.e. he needed a BBC to get his place but to get the scholarship he would have needed an AAB(or something like that), well he got his place but not the scholarship but we're really pleased that he's going to uni - yes it will be a financial struggle but I'm sure it will be worth it.

Congratulations to your son!

jennyjelly

Thanks for the congrats, and congrats to yours as well Lovaabargain.

It's a really expensive time (especially as DS2 is starting college at the same time!) but we have been saving and are determined to afford whatever they need.

In 3 years we will be in clover (assuming no disasters) as we finish our mortgage at the same time as DS1 finishes uni. If we can just get there without going bust we'll consider our job done!

Hope all goes well for all students starting uni this year, really scary but well worth it.