scared of course am i being realistic?

LISSILEIGH

hi all

well heres the background!

im a mum of 3 children 7,5,3, i am working two part time jobs and have a house to run.

I have funded my way through my levels 2 and 3 in early years, and have been tonight to see about doing a foundation degree in early years ( which again i will probably have to fund)

i have never study at university level before and am wondering if its acheievable? my confidence is not very great (maybe thats cause i spent afew years out of work) i just wondering if its realistic of me to think that i will be able to do what i do now and throw a degree into the mix???

i would be greatful for any advice, and also any advice about things you ccan claim for as a student i.e reduction in council tax working family tax credits?? etc

thanks

bestpud

LISSILEIGH wrote: »

hi all

well heres the background!

im a mum of 3 children 7,5,3, i am working two part time jobs and have a house to run.

I have funded my way through my levels 2 and 3 in early years, and have been tonight to see about doing a foundation degree in early years ( which again i will probably have to fund)

i have never study at university level before and am wondering if its acheievable? my confidence is not very great (maybe thats cause i spent afew years out of work) i just wondering if its realistic of me to think that i will be able to do what i do now and throw a degree into the mix???

i would be greatful for any advice, and also any advice about things you ccan claim for as a student i.e reduction in council tax working family tax credits?? etc

thanks

Are you in England?

You can receive strudent finance for living as well as studying costs so you may not need to do two jobs.

Have a look on here for details and ask if anything isn't clear:

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

In summary, you will pay no council tax if you are the only adult in the household, you can claim HB as a single parent (over the summer at least) and there are loans/grants available, depending on your income. It's actually quite generous, but obviously the loans have to be repaid.

As for confidence - I think many mature students feel that way before they start.

In reality though, it is only a step up from what you have been doing and you are clearly organised already, so I am sure you will manage the work load.

You can get help with childcare fees too.

I'd say go for it!

simon123

I am in my final year of university on a particularly hard degree. Before I went to uni I doubted myself. My first year I doubted myself and got some low grades. Second year, many times I almost quit because I didn't feel like I knew my subjects well enough and would never pass my essays. As each result came in, I passed every single thing with some very good results.
This year I will still doubt myself but I just think it is human nature. Just go do it, it will be worth it in the end.

As for council tax, it depends on your situation. Full time students dont pay council tax but if there is a non student working adult in the house I thing you will get a 25% reduction.

Good luck!

gettingsorted

Hi there
I am a mother of three and have spent the last three years in education. I am just about to start my last year and I love it, don't get me wrong I worry that I'm not going to do well that I can't manage on my money etc etc, but year after year I manage.
I get plenty of money from the student finance go on to their website studentfinance.gov.uk. (if thats not it google it) and see what you can claim for. the initial application they ask for lots of paper work i.e. birth certificates, but after that you get money (yippee)
You also get a reduction on your council tax and I also get help towards my childcare.
If you have already done 2 years then you are more than capable of doing a uni course.
Go for it you will love it.:D

Oldernotwiser

LISSILEIGH wrote: »

hi all

well heres the background!

im a mum of 3 children 7,5,3, i am working two part time jobs and have a house to run.

I have funded my way through my levels 2 and 3 in early years, and have been tonight to see about doing a foundation degree in early years ( which again i will probably have to fund)

i have never study at university level before and am wondering if its acheievable? my confidence is not very great (maybe thats cause i spent afew years out of work) i just wondering if its realistic of me to think that i will be able to do what i do now and throw a degree into the mix???

i would be greatful for any advice, and also any advice about things you ccan claim for as a student i.e reduction in council tax working family tax credits?? etc

thanks

Foundation degrees are practical, workbased qualification and are rather less academic than anormal degree; they're the natural progression from level 3 study.

As far as finances are concerned, you haven't mentioned whether you're a lone parent or whether you have a partner; this will affect your funding.

I'm surprised that you've had to self fund your level 2 and 3, was there a particular reason for that?

LISSILEIGH

sorry i didnt make it clear, yes i am married, i need to work the two jobs in order to get all the hours in i need and it will help to pay for the course 3k!

i had to pay for my level 2 and 3 cause at the time the funding was only available to people in paid employment ( at this time i had just lost my job so was doing voluntary work to keep me in the system)

thanks so far for your advice, i cant believe how unconfident and old i feel at 28 lol

Oldernotwiser

LISSILEIGH wrote: »

sorry i didnt make it clear, yes i am married, i need to work the two jobs in order to get all the hours in i need and it will help to pay for the course 3k!

If the course will cost you 3K then it sounds as if it's designated as full time (even though it may only be 1 day a week!). If that's the case then there will be a full funding package available to you which you need to investigate.

bestpud

You can check entitlement to student finance through the link I gave you.

Or, if you post your and your OHs income, someone on here will probably give you a rough idea.

They didn't used to take a students part time earnings into account but I don't know if that is still the case.

Student finance (except for the dependents grant) does not count for tax credits so that is a big help.