Returning to uni

simonrayjay

Hi

I have had a pretty bad record at uni so far - after finishing my A-levels I applied to do Physics at manchester uni. I did pretty poorly, scraping through some of the exams and ending up with retakes in summer 08 which I did not pass. I was permitted to resit the year but just could not cope and ended up with similar results in summer 09. I decided that if I could not even deal with the first year of the course, then it was not for me.

So I rethought my options and decided upon optometry, which had been my other possible choice back in sixth form. I rang up the manchester department after failing the second time but they had already given all the places for 2009 entry.

So I signed up to apply on UCAS for 2010 entry, and have offers for manchester and a few others to read optometry.

Right now, I am living in Leeds with my girlfriend and have just started full time work. I am on the verge of sorting out a room of my own to rent for £65 a week near her.

My question is to do with the student loans company - The two years of physics, I was supplied with the standard £3000ish course fees + £3000ish living loan, for each year. I didn't get any other bursaries or any other kind of support because I was living under my parents' roof.

Now, when I reapply for student financing for Optometry starting october 2010, will I be able to apply for any kind of income-based support? Because I am only earning min wage and my parents have long since given up on me!

Thanks guys.

Oldernotwiser

As you have already had two years of funding you'll have to self fund for the first year of your degree. If you can manage to do this, you will get funding for the rest of the course but it will still be based on your parents' income.

MrsManda

Just to confirm what ONW has said the SLC will only fund the length of the course plus one year false start. As you've had two false starts, (without extenuating circumstances such as severe illness...) you'll have to self-fund your first year. Unless you are over 25 at the start of the academic year, have lived financially independent of your parents for 3+ years (years at uni don't count), have care of a child under 18, married/in civil partnership, or haven't been in contact with your parents for over a year, you don't count as an independent student. Therefore to get any income based loans/grants for the remaining years you will have to persuade your parents to fill in their income details on the application forms.