So how much did you get?

mellymeep

I've got about 5 quid a week left to live on...
Been trying since July to find a job after losing my current one with absolutely no luck!
Maxed out my 1500 overdraft already, when my loan comes in it'll go straight out to pay rent. Totally skint isnt even the word

robnye

xcat_girlx wrote: »

if you live away from home, outside of london, and you are only entitled to the none income assessed part, the most you recieve is £3,470. my rent used to be around £2900 for the full year as i had to live in private halls due to a lack of uni accomodation.

but that doesnt make sense.... on the following link they are quoting

'Official student loans continue. Everyone qualifies for 75% of the maximum, regardless of income, and the rest is means-tested.
Eventually the government would like to scrap means-testing, so students are independent from the age of 18.
The maximum amounts for 2007-08 are £4,625 for students living away from home (£6,475 in London) and £3,580 for those living at home.'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3013272.stm

my daughter is living away from home and outside of london, her total loan+small grant = £4625

Oldernotwiser

75% of £4625 is about £3470!

o_c99

In my case the loan did not cover the accommodation costs for all three years of my degree as I was living in London.

The reality is that for some people, you will have to seek alternative ways of making money (e.g. via a part-time job). This is not always easy of course, but is a great way of getting work experience at the same time. I worked during the holidays of each year to get extra money. It's a shame that this issue regarding money is not highlighted enough before commencing a degree!

Swirlywurly

My non-income assessed loan is only £2265 and thats the maximum. Is that because i started before top up fees came in? I can't get a straight answer from anyone!

Oldernotwiser

omar.chalabi99 wrote: »

It's a shame that this issue regarding money is not highlighted enough before commencing a degree!

It often is, only 17 year olds don't always listen!

farso

I do seem to think that many young students simply believe that going to uni is something they "have to do" without seriously looking at the financial aspect of it, dispite there being literally hundreds of pages of information on the internet about it.

I saved up for 5 years (and experienced life a little) in order to go to uni. It also helps with the payments as im now classed as independant, so between that, the student loan and savings from the sale of a house, I am able to live on a comfortable amount of cash.

I personally dont see how students can complain about being treated as being responsable in paying for their own way when they want to "break free" as it were from their parents to try and make it on their own.

Perhaps this thread will be a good warning to others who are thinking about uni but havnt really looked at the whole package?