Im in total panic station wondering how id cope with uni! HELP

pig_let_cool

Hey, im 17 currently studying a btec in graphic design at my local college and cant work out wether or not uni is the right thing to do.

I havent got a job, ive been looking for about a year, i have no savings (no way of my parents giving me anything either) i dont get any benefits or EMA etc as my step-dads earnings take him above £60k a year (not that i ever see a penny...4 kids in one house and he pays maintenance to another, it doesnt stretch...)
So i dont know wether it is finacialy a good idea to go to uni, staying at home isnt an option though as my house is up for sale and they plan to move within my second year of college but im not allowed to move with them. I dont even know where they are moving to...Milton Keynes, Leeds, Manchester, York etc have all been mentioned! So i know if i go to uni i have to find accomadation aswell and because i have no job or savings at the moment i dont really want to start with having to pay everything off with loans and leave with debts XD (i know ill have some buty i want to be sensible about it!)

lol

Can someone help just explain the grants and what kind of things ill get if i go? i want to do a full time BA in graphic design (no idea where yet....havent a clue where is good )

Thanks in advance!
x

Lokolo

If household income is over the threshold (which it seems it will), you will get loan of around ~£3.5k a year, plus tuition fee loan of ~£3.5k (but you don't see this, this just goes straight to the uni).

A job is very useful to have. Have you been to Dominos? McDonalds? High Street shops?

Have you looked at any universities yet? You're only in your first year so you don't need to decent anything in next few months anyway.

Depending on where you think you might go, will give you an idea of the costs.

pig_let_cool

Lokolo wrote: »

If household income is over the threshold (which it seems it will), you will get loan of around ~£3.5k a year, plus tuition fee loan of ~£3.5k (but you don't see this, this just goes straight to the uni).

A job is very useful to have. Have you been to Dominos? McDonalds? High Street shops?

Have you looked at any universities yet? You're only in your first year so you don't need to decent anything in next few months anyway.

Depending on where you think you might go, will give you an idea of the costs.

Hi,
so my loan would be 3.5k for everything else? is that the student loan?

Ive honestly looked for a job so hard, jobs are very hard to find at the minute as everyones looking and im trying to fit it around college hours. ive been given a heads up about some jobs going at tescos so am gunna do my cv up for that and cross my fingers lol

Universities ive looked at are scattered everywhere, London/Falmouth/Bolton/Coventry (local)/de montford.... but i havent narrowed it down much into favourites and havent looked in depth yet as im just starting to think properly about it all

I have to apply by december but i think that feels closer than it is as i finish college for summer in 2 weeks (the rest of the year is exhibition weeks and shows etc)

x

Oldernotwiser

Many people in your situation will spend some time in the holiday researching their options, ready to do their UCAS applications in September. You'll also need to prepare a portfolio and your tutors will help you with this next term.

A job with a large organisation like Tesco would be a good idea as you may well be able to transfer to a branch near your university. You should also discuss your plans with your parents as many people in your situation would get some financial help from them. You're obviously going to need this or a part time job for university to be viable for you.

Fire_Fox

pig_let_cool wrote: »

Hi,
so my loan would be 3.5k for everything else? is that the student loan?

Ive honestly looked for a job so hard, jobs are very hard to find at the minute as everyones looking and im trying to fit it around college hours. ive been given a heads up about some jobs going at tescos so am gunna do my cv up for that and cross my fingers lol

x

Are you waiting for jobs to become available/ advertised or are you being proactive and getting your CVs out everywhere? Have you had a professional look over your CV (e.g. Connexions)? Are you using a covering letter?

surfsister

suggest you go to connexions they know all about grants etc

if parents ay they are kicking you out you may be eligible for a flat ask conexions. they are very helpful and friendly go soon as not sure what ages they go up to.

it could be that if you live alone for a while parents wages won't come into it ask the connexions people.

isualive

My son is in his 2nd yr at Uni & is surviving on the 3.5k loan. He has not found a job yet & seems to be managing just about.

If your parents income is low, under £20K a yr ( That's the threshold & my sons Uni ) then you can claim a bursary of £1250.

Don't forget as a Uni student you can get an interest free overdraft on your bank account.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm

Oldernotwiser

isualive wrote: »

My son is in his 2nd yr at Uni & is surviving on the 3.5k loan. He has not found a job yet & seems to be managing just about.

If your parents income is low, under £20K a yr ( That's the threshold & my sons Uni ) then you can claim a bursary of £1250.

Don't forget as a Uni student you can get an interest free overdraft on your bank account.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm

OP has said that household income is over £60K.

emmaxox_2

Personally for the situation your in, I would look at universities in area where the accomidation is cheap, from what I gather you live in the West Midlands, I have a lot of friends from this area who agree with you getting a part time job is near impossible, but don't give up!

Personally I go to Uni in Middlesbrough in the North East, I came here for a few reasons but one of the main ones was the cost of living is quite low. On my 52 year contract for my house my rent for this year has averaged £55.50 and that's including my gas and electricity. I started uni here in September 2007 and got a job straight away but only with a four hour contract, two months later I got a 12.5 hour a week job! This pays for my rent with about £20 a week left over, and I live off my loan really. I was silly in first year though and spent on a credit card and my overdraft and got myself in to debt, this was my own fault more often than not though and I could have easily done without the things I wasted the money on.

Anyway what I'm saying is it can be done, just look around at cheaper places to live....or apply to places like York, Leeds where your parents might be moving it could be handy having them live close by!

wacko911

Personally if I had it to do again, I would live at home, get a part time job working <16 hours a week and do a 3 year honours degree with the open university.

You will get most if not all of your fee's paid, as it's not based on your parents income, it's your own income. You could maybe claim other benefits eg job seekers or working tax credit, if your entitled to any of these then the OU will effectivly be free.

Your choice is 3 years ~ 12k student debt and pennyless the whole time or
3 years, no debt, same degree and some money to play with in the meantime and work experience.

Todays graduates are finding it hard to get a job as they have no experience, but you DO need a degree as so many jobs now demand it. If you can get in somewhere relevent to your degree even better as when you graduate you will be instantly employable.