ZiggyStardust's money diet!

ZiggyStardust_2

Hey, the first time I was at uni I had a loan of just over £4000 per academic year and an interest free student overdraft of £1500. I also worked part time, some evenings in a bar, waitressing and working in schools on days off. I worked in the summer holidays to up my income, plus you should have half terms off as well. Most universities have extra one off grants/ hardship funds etc for some full time students.

I'm better off now than when I was working but that's because I'm doing a PGCE and get extra grants and a training bursary etc x

*Jellie*

How is the PGCE going? Started your first placement yet?

Fire_Fox

Moneytroubles wrote: »

Start uni tommorow, I notice a couple of people say they were better off a student, than working, would anyone mind explaining this? I'm a first year at uni, and really lost. I went to the council office today and collected a form to see if im entitled to a reduction, I also have a bursary which will be used to pay fees, and non income assessed student loan, which works out at 3 payments throughout the academic year of just over £700, I currently work however dont see how I can do both, at least not the hours im currently working, but dont feel I can afford to work part time or not at all??? xxx

Can I ask why you are non-income assessed for the loan? Also do you need to use your bursary to pay the fees or can you use it to live on and add the fees to your student loan (currently 0%)? Have you opened a student current account yet and applied for the 0% overdraft?

The reason some of us say we are better off is that we get: £2800 maintenance grant (or parents expected to help out to same level), £3400 income assessed loan, up to £6400 wages tax free, no liability for council tax worth say £500 per year, half price public transport worth say £500 per year. That's up to £13600 per year (net not gross)! :T

You should be able to work around ten hours each week, more out of semester which is after all only twenty four weeks contact time. It obviously depends on your course how intensive it is and how many hours you are able to work. If you are a mature student with a spare room you can rent out a room tax-free without it affecting your student loans and grant (I checked).

ZiggyStardust_2

*Jellie* wrote: »

How is the PGCE going? Started your first placement yet?

I's going ok thanks, but very tired! Also doing an extra module to get some Masters credits, there's alot of work but of course will be worth it when I'm qualified (providing that I make it and don't have a nervous breakdown!) Start placement after half term, not sure which school yet :rolleyes:

ZiggyStardust_2

Morning! I haven't been updating as much as I should be

Spent £84 on abit of a whim yesterday getting some lovely bits for the flat, including some Beatles tuff which I could NOT walk away from think I deserve it though as haven't been out for ages so not spending money on much else!

Have to go on a uni trip in Europe for a couple of days next week. Not happy about going as will cost around £300 with travel, hotel etc. :mad: :mad:

On a positive note, last Lloyds loan payment next month, phone bill is ALOT lower this month, and haven't bought any books for a while diet coke addiction is still going strong though :rolleyes:

Fire_Fox

How's the studies going, are you too busy to update?

Moneytroubles_2

Hi Ziggy - How are you - haven't spoke for a while xxx

Fire_Fox

No news, Ziggy?