No money! Help!

luthriel

Hello,
Im in my first year of university, and due to my mother recently moving in with her partner who earns a considerable amount, i am entitled to less student funding.
They were only living together 2 months before i applied for student finance, hes not my step parent, i don't recieve any financial support of them, and even when i'm home anything i need is used out of my own wages.
The trouble is i can only work so much while im at university and im not earning enough to keep out of the red, im keeping my overdraft at 500 and not moving it to be sensible but i hate going into it.
I need more money and cant get it
I really think i should be entitled to more money.
Any advice or help?

thanks

Loan companies are evil! lol

Oldernotwiser

You've been correctly assessed on your household income I'm afraid; have you tried asking for help from the ALF?

[Deleted User]

Not of too much help at the moment - but if you can scrape by until the summer you will be able to work full time and get some savings in place before your second year begins, so you will be in a better position for your second year. But look for full-time work early as most students do this as a way of boosting their income over the summer months.

I'm afraid I don't know much about what grants etc you would be entitled to, so hopefully someone else can advise you there, but if you are really struggling your university will have a hardship fund you can access - talk to the Student Welfare Department.

The_One_Who

Unfortunately this is how the system now works. Do you work full-time during the holidays? Have you made a budget to see where you can cut down on expenditure?

cheltenham_dude

Make sure you work full time during the holidays - temp work if you have to. If you save (don't buy random stuff like DVDs, takeaways, ect) you might have anywhere from £1000 - £3000 at the end of summer - depending on how much overdraft you use (good luck on staying under £500).

kelloggs36

What if she can't get a job over the holidays? They aren't so easy to come by now. My DD has had terrible trouble over the past 3 years - not once getting a Summer job.

The_One_Who

The OP already has a job ("anything i need is used out of my own wages") so asking if it would be possible to increase hours is worth a shot.

If someone can't get a job then a budget becomes absolutely essential.

bestpud

kelloggs36 wrote: »

What if she can't get a job over the holidays? They aren't so easy to come by now. My DD has had terrible trouble over the past 3 years - not once getting a Summer job.

Where is she studying?

Maybe she needs to start looking earlier? Or speak to the careers department about her applications?

Determined students can usually find work in my experience.

The_One_Who

And it helps if they aren't too picky about where they work either.

Indie_Kid

The_One_Who wrote: »

And it helps if they aren't too picky about where they work either.

and when they work.

SU / uni usually offer jobs.

silvercar

As your mother is now living with someone who earns a considerable amount, maybe she could afford to subsidise you. Does she realise that it is directly because sheis now living with her partner that your money is reduced? Time for an honest discussion.