advice pls about finance for daughter?

Prudent

I am a single parent. I have one daughter (just about to turn 14). She has really struggled at school due to dyslexia and other difficulties. She is though shining at art and music. She had initially thought she would like to do a course at a local college after school. Now she has decided she would like to do and art and design course at uni. I am thrilled she has worked so hard to make this a realistic aspiration (teachers agree she could make it). However I am worried about being able to help her enough financially.

We are resident in Scotland and she will be attending a scottish uni, so fees will be paid. I have saved £25 a month for her since she was 7. It will mature at about £3,000 when she is ready to go to uni. However I know that won't even see her through one year. What loans/ other help can she get?

Savvy_Sue

Prudent wrote:

I am a single parent. I have one daughter (just about to turn 14).

Prudent wrote:

We are resident in Scotland and she will be attending a scottish uni, so fees will be paid. I have saved £25 a month for her since she was 7. It will mature at about £3,000 when she is ready to go to uni. However I know that won't even see her through one year. What loans/ other help can she get?

Putting the two ends of your question together, I'd say that no-one can possibly predict what help will be available in 3-4 years' time! At present, as I understand it, she'd be able to get a loan, and possibly a non-repayable grant if your income is low enough. I don't know how the Scottish system varies from the English. If the Scots are generous enough not to make students pay their own tuition fees, I can't see them being less generous on the loans/grants front.

It's great that you are saving now and want to help her, BUT plenty of students DO survive without financial support from their parents. So anything you can do will be a bonus.

I know it's easy to say "don't worry", but tbh I don't think there is anything more you can do NOW than you are already doing. DS1 is in the last year of those who don't have to pay top-up fees, DS2 will probably go off to uni in a couple of years time (it beats getting a job!), but even though I know that the system will be different, I can't get excited about what the differences will be, because who knows what may change in the meantime?

jamminjamaica

hi there

i didnt want to read and run. i hope all works out for you. I work for a college and push people to go for the arts as it is becoming a good sector to work in. I would advise to do a search on the internet for scholasrships and grants or go to a career guidance person who may be able to give assistance. also take a look at art council site as they sponsor students.