Want to go back into education

Bonnie89

I have not had the best of lives but that's not stopping me.
I really want to go to uni.
I am a young mum my partner works and has completed his degree. He works in London and we get child and working tax credits, not much but it helps. We are not entitled to housing benifit. And with the travel to London everyday we have hardly any money by the end of the month, as many people know whats it's like.
Anyway i really want to go back, but looks like i have to go back to work...wanted to go full-time college course. I am 20 years old. Not sure what else i can say. I have not savings, fault of my own and not much family, also credit rating not that good as when i had my flat at a young age i couldn't pay all my bills and ended up in debt...i worked so hard and i really want to work hard and improve my skills and gain more in life.
I just wondered what kind of help there is...

Got2change

There will be lots of factors to consider and take into account but it need not be impossible to re-enter education.

I hope Oldernotwiser reads this as they give fantastic advice.

Things that will matter will be -
Your household income and eligiblity for Working Tax Credits (as this may mean you can get your COLLEGE course fees paid),
The level at which you want to study and hours you will spend at College as this would determine eligibility for an Adult Education Allowance (weekly),
What you plan to do with your little one - so that you can think about (costs of ) childcare and any help you may get with that,
Grants and allowances for travel, equipment and books.

This is for Further Education.

If University/Higher Education, it will be a whole different ballgame with loans (& grants - yay) for fees and living and dependents, consequent debt and so on on and so on.

Short answer is - it is possible. But depends on lots of things - your own motivation being key.

x

Bonnie89

Thank you. I dnt mind paying back, i really want to go back. I am lucky and child care is not a problem just funding for course

OH i want to go i am going part-time to up my gcse in maths it's a free course i was going when i was pg so i really want to start full-time in feb even work a paert-time job

Oldernotwiser

Assuming that you don't already have the necessary entry qualifications you should contact local colleges to enquire about Access courses. These are designed for mature students who want to go to university and don't want to spend years and years doing GCSE/A levels.

In London I'm sure you'll find that there are full time and part time courses like this and you will probably not have to pay fees if this is your first qualification at this level. If you do a course like this full time, you may also be eligible for an Adult Learning Grant of up to £30 per week.
When you are qualified to go to university you'll find that it's funded by a system of loans and means tested grants.

If none of this sounds possible for you, have a look at the Open University, who offer part time degree courses by distant learning, with fees means tested on household income. As well as full degree courses they offer smaller units which are suitable for people returning to study, which can ultimately count towards your degree.

Many people in your situation do one of these routes so it's perfectly possible for you to do the same. Good luck.

Got2change

See -
-what did I tell you?

Bonnie89

Thank you i will call about these things tomorrow, i'll call college. I really am excited want to go full-time x

Oldernotwiser

Got2change wrote: »

See -
-what did I tell you?

I missed your original comment; you're making me blush!:o

cazziebo

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I missed your original comment; you're making me blush!:o

Yeah - I think she's great too!

On topic - I have never met anyone who regrets pursuing education. Miserable jobs, unhappy marriages, wrong relocations yes - but learning no. there is always a way.

Oldernotwiser

Double blush!

starsinmycrown

You can do it, there is a way. don't let bad credit be a worry, you'll probably end up with bad credit anyway after being a student! lol!

I did it. i left home at 18 and got myself into all sorts of mess, trying to live alone whilst earning 10k. i had terrible credit, couldn't pay my council tax, had bailiffs round, credit cards coming out of my ears.. etc. I went back to uni at 24, and at the time (3 yrs ago) i got my tuition fees paid as a mature student. Whichever university you want to go to, they should have a student support/ finance office. Give them a call and they will probably be able to give you an approximation over the phone. Either that or call your local education authority. google for the number. they told me what i was eligible for. Good luck! My friend is a single mum and went to do nursing and found she got all kinds of help. don't be afraid of what background you come from, because as a student, everybody is in the same boat roughly, financially. it levels the playing field a bit. I felt good not being the only one who didn't have any money! x