:)Mature PGCE student - please help!

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Hi there,
I'm going to be starting a PGCE in September - but the college is 40 miles away from where I'll be living with my boyfriend. We decided to stay in the same area as we are now because if we moved any closer to the college he'd have to travel to work every day, whereas at least I only have to travel during term time.
It'll be 3 years since I was last at uni. Will I still be able to get an NUS card? Will I still qualify for the £6k grant because I'm living with my partner? Has anyone done this before and survived it? To add to the financial worries, I'm in the process of buying a new car - because if I'd kept my current car then it would cost more to run and maintain than my new one.
We're already trying to cut back on the food that we buy - no more takeaways etc. However, after having worked for 3 years I've got used to spending!
I suppose I need reassurance that I'm not the only one in this situation - however, I'm probably going to be the only student teacher doing an 80 mile round trip every day!
I look forward to hearing from you.
I'm going to be starting a PGCE in September - but the college is 40 miles away from where I'll be living with my boyfriend. We decided to stay in the same area as we are now because if we moved any closer to the college he'd have to travel to work every day, whereas at least I only have to travel during term time.
It'll be 3 years since I was last at uni. Will I still be able to get an NUS card? Will I still qualify for the £6k grant because I'm living with my partner? Has anyone done this before and survived it? To add to the financial worries, I'm in the process of buying a new car - because if I'd kept my current car then it would cost more to run and maintain than my new one.
We're already trying to cut back on the food that we buy - no more takeaways etc. However, after having worked for 3 years I've got used to spending!
I suppose I need reassurance that I'm not the only one in this situation - however, I'm probably going to be the only student teacher doing an 80 mile round trip every day!
I look forward to hearing from you.

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Your suggestions were very sensible - I'm just in a "lack of money" panic!
Thanks very much.
As a mature student you are entitled to a loan even if you have a partner etc. You will be entitled some no matter what and the higher amount (the 6k) is means tested (still worth applying). you need to apply through your local LEA but all the info you need should be on the student loans website http://www.slc.co.uk/ Plus at the moment if you intend to work in Secondary the government will pay off your loan for you if you intend to teach a shortage subject "Repayment of student loans for teachers of shortage subjects
This page sets out the basic details of the Repayment of Teachers' Loans (RTL) Scheme. To determine whether you are eligible please read the details below.
The RTL Scheme allows the government to repay, over time, the student loans of newly qualified teachers[1] of specified shortage subjects in both schools and further education (FE) in England and Wales. The scheme will initially operate as a pilot for teachers beginning in the academic years 2002/03, 2003/04 and 2004/05.
You will be eligible for the pilot, provided you meet all of the following criteria (paragraphs a) to h) below relate to school teachers and paragraphs i) to q) to those in FE):
the full details can be found at this address
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/professionaldevelopment/careers/becomingateacher/teachersloans/
Additionally, there is a scheme called a Golden Hello which pays you upto £4,000 when you go into teaching a shortage subject again conditions apply but they aren't impossible to achieve. This info isn't just applicable to FE but secondary as well. Golden Hellos for Teachers of FE
Golden Hellos' are available to teachers who started teaching in September 2001 onwards, have completed their first year of teaching and are in their second year of teaching and contracted for a further term or more. They provide a one-off payment of up to £4,000 to new teachers in designated shortage subject areas in England. The initiative is administered by the Learning and Skills Council. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/professionaldevelopment/careers/post16/fegoldenhellos/
Teachernet and Learning and Skills Council are both really useful sites with a lot of info.
Finally, even if there is nobody travelling as far as you each day -others may be travelling part of the way and lift with a contribution towards petrol is a good exchange. Your uni will probably have a notice board or website to advertise a car share etc.
Good Luck
Lots of information on funding can be found at
http://www.useyourheadteach.gov.uk/training/about_teacher_training/funding_while_training.html
Good Luck!
How's the pgce experience going, have you started?
Considering doing a pgce starting next year and would appreciate any feedback.
All the best
I highly recommend getting a diesel car, we save so much money now we have one!
Like the others said, you'll be able to do your placement nearer your home.
Good luck with it, oh and look on ebay for your books, I saved a small fortune!