Grants, loans, fees etc... a rant

chugalug

Surely if you've been independent since 16 you would be classed as an independent student and would have to look after yourself. And how can a whole area not work in order to play the system - you can't know that. You, I assume are a single student with no dependents and as such have no idea of the costs (both monetary, physically and mentally) of studying for a degree while you have children. What are you so worked up about??? The system constantly changes so you cant plan to 'play it' anyway. You're either entitled to help or you're not. I'd prefer to be on the new system but won't be, tough. My son is going to uni this year and he will be. He knows he'll have to work in the summer to save money and have to work while he's at uni - what's the problem?? He's an adult and so are you presumably. He won't get any money from me cos I don't have any. Blimey kids these days want it all!!!

emma_b_4

it is annoying when you compare with other ppl on your course. i am a student nurse so i get the bursary of 5k a year (but i work 40hr weeks half the yr for this so really isnt mcuh at all!) what annoys me is that if your over 26 you get more money..this should be means tested i think. my friend is 26 lives in her mum n dad house rent free with her boyfriend as parents have emigrated and her boyf gets 30k plus a yr, whereas im 22 have a mortgage and commitments my OH get 17k a year. this means i am judges as too 'well off' to get free prescriptions etc. i have had to take on two extra jobs just to make ends meet, which they do just about!

We have just booked a cheap hol to egypt (yes cheap!) so we are saving up for that..which has cheered me up! i get less money than ALL of my friends but i manage it well with internet banking and sometimes we have more spare cash, thanks to this site!!

freebie_junkie

i think youre rant maybe a disuised rant about people on benefits/ who have had children very young not having to pay fees?

i live alone coz my parents kicked me out and i used to be homeless. i get ib coz i have ocd and i go uni part time (one day a week) i get my fees paid coz i have no one to help me out- am i being unfair?

i assuem taht you have parents that will help you if you need it? do you live with them in teh hols?

melancholly

i was lucky that my parents could help me out at uni when i was an undergrad.... maybe we could have played the system better but it seemed like a 'wrong' thing to do. wherever you go in life, there are always (and i really mean always) people who seem to get things easier than you.

any system always has people who deserve to get help but can't, and people who are helped who (argueably) shouldn't be.... maybe i'm just too cynical about it all, but however good a system gets, everyone won't be happy.

i'd like to finish my phd after 7 years of training, and get a job with a payscale that reflects the qualifications and skills that i have, in the area i want. i know it's not possible, but it's what i chose to do - i have to live with it!...... i wish i'd gone to university 2 years earlier and not had to pay any fees at all, and that we'd had more notice that the fees were going to be introduced to be better prepared. i wish that i could be as mercenary as some of my friends who still live at their parents' house, don't pay rent or bills and get a full salary (well i dont' really want to be that kind of person but you get my drift!).

some people can be really let down by the system, and i'm not trying to diminish the position that people find themselves in, but if you spend your life looking at other people and feeling hard-done-by, it will only be really frustrating and make you bitter!

Jersy

sorry i do live with my parents

that girl was only an example. what i was tryin 2 say is that she is using her grants to go on holiday.

another one someone came out with is - i cant wait till my bursery comes through. i need a new phone?

!!!!!!?

for who everasked.. i am single (well long term relationship but not living together) an no dependants. and yes i do live iwth my parents. but i dont not ask them for money, fair enough.. free roof over my head. but thats not the point im making.

the majority of these ppl in uni also live at home

Karnam

how one choses to spend thier loan/grant/money is thier choice. she wouldnt be going on holiday unless she had covered all her costs (including childcare) and lived quite frugally throughout the uni year.

afterall who knows maybe shes a moneysaver too and has saved the money to go on holiday!!

melancholly

Jersy wrote:

sorry i do live with my parents

that girl was only an example. what i was tryin 2 say is that she is using her grants to go on holiday.

another one someone came out with is - i cant wait till my bursery comes through. i need a new phone?

!!!!!!?

for who everasked.. i am single (well long term relationship but not living together) an no dependants. and yes i do live iwth my parents. but i dont not ask them for money, fair enough.. free roof over my head. but thats not the point im making.

the majority of these ppl in uni also live at home

my comment did not refer to current students, sorry if it was ambiguous - I meant friends who graduated multiple years ago and have full time, well paid jobs, who get free food and board - contributing nothing! i'm on a student stipend and entirely self-sufficient..... so you can see why it gets on my nerves a little!

my point was that there will always be someone who seems to be getting an easy ride, no matter what you're doing (studying, working etc), and dwelling on it won't improve anything!

Jersy

i agree with ^^

but karman... the loan + grant is 2 assist you with your studies.. ie to live while your away so that u can study.

this does not include goin sking twice and goin 2 majorca in the summer

OR buying a D600!

Karnam

its one's own choice how you spend money. afterall the student loan is given in cash, not in book tokens.

considering you live at homewithout paying rent Jersy, why are you complaining? surely your costs are minimal compared to me, a london student parent, who has to pay for childcare, a travelcard (120a month) as well as rent, bills, food etc. on top of the small costs you probably have such as books etc. i think it is pointless judging some woman on your course on the surface for having a little more than you. they probably spend less on booze and more on holidays to spend time with thier child who they are seperated from a lot.

yes i had a friend who had everything paid for by her parents. they paid rent, food, tuition everything. and she still took out her loan as spending money. its a personal choice what you spend the money on, its ultimately a loan and therefore your money to spend as you like.

Jersy

Karnam, oh i know i get it easy. I get it very easy.

I only borrow enough for my fees. Not a penny more

btw. its people like you who i think should get the full benefits of the system.

perhaps loans and grants should be paid in "book tokens",

edit again...

if they got a job frying chips in mcds 2 fund their holidays, this money which they get could be used 2 reduce tution fees