New Student Mother - what am i enttled to???

rachel1985

Hello,

I am due to become a student in september I am married with a 1 year old child. In september i will be starting an access to HE coarse for primary teaching.

My husband earns 19,000 PA and at the moment i earn about £550 a month but as of september I will not be working.

I really need some advice on benefits out there for mature student mothers, just feeling a little unsure if we can do it financially as we do rely on the money I currently bring in.

Any advice would be fantastic.

Many Thanks

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Indie_Kid

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Extrahelp/DG_171503

hartzou

This useful link to you, i think.

Oldernotwiser

rachel1985 wrote: »

Hello,

I am due to become a student in september I am married with a 1 year old child. In september i will be starting an access to HE coarse for primary teaching.

My husband earns 19,000 PA and at the moment i earn about £550 a month but as of september I will not be working.

I really need some advice on benefits out there for mature student mothers, just feeling a little unsure if we can do it financially as we do rely on the money I currently bring in.

Any advice would be fantastic.

Many Thanks

An Access course isn't HE so don't expect to get the funding that you would when you start university.

If this is your first level 3 course and you'restudying full time, you should be eligible for the 30 pounds Adult Learning Grant and a 25% discount on your council tax.

my_definition

most universitys have a childcare fund. its not guarenteed but if you but in your monthly expenses and income and your coming out as a loss they will generally give some amount (can be hundreds) towards childcare costs or if your struggling finantially. This might now help before you go nut it can be a lifesaver when your there.

snugglepet20

I would see if you can get the childcare grant for help with your nursery fees http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Extrahelp/DG_171503
Other than that it doesn't look like you will get much so I hope you are ready to be poor!

snugglepet20

P.S Good luck

Oldernotwiser

snugglepet20 wrote: »

I would see if you can get the childcare grant for help with your nursery fees http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Extrahelp/DG_171503
Other than that it doesn't look like you will get much so I hope you are ready to be poor!

Why have you posted information about HE funding when you're talking about funding for the Access course - the two things are totally different!

snugglepet20

Whoops! For some reason I got confused and thought I was looking at help for further education ignore me!

Oldernotwiser

Perhaps the OP could clarify whether she's looking for information on funding for the year that she does her Access course or for her degree (or both). At the moment lots of people are getting themselves in a muddle.

angelcakes_smw

Hi, I did the access course last year and we found it very difficult financially but we managed and I am now at uni. Unfortunately you arent entitled to any kind of loans/grants whilst doing the access course but you may be able to apply for the adult learners grant as well as your college's access to learning fund for help with childcare/books etc. Then there is the tax credits, you may be eligible for the childcare element and your husband may be entitled to an increase in working tax credits. You will also receive the 25% discount for council tax. I know the course says full time but if it's anything like mine was you will still have plenty of time on your hands to do a part time job whilst studying and still pass with a good mark.

Now I'm at uni I have been able to get the loans and grants which also includes childcare allowance. The unis also have access to learning funds which have been very generous. You will still get the council tax discount as well as the tax credits but this time you probably wont have the time to fit in a part time job if you want to do your best and have a decent family life.

hth x