Does my son have to give up his college course & his university place

Jowo_2

KatieMc83 wrote: »

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It's hard but certainly do-able!!

My parents showed antipathy towards my higher and further studies, though they were certainly glad that they continue to receive Child Benefit for me during my A'levels until I was 18.

(Showing my age here) but after my O'levels and up to my A'levels, right up to my mock exams in the second year, I generally worked Weds and Fri nights, Saturday and Sunday in the local fastfood restaurant, plus full time in the vacations. There was no such thing as an ALG and I had to buy my own books.

During University, which I attended as a full time student, I used up my savings earned from my previous full time job, had part-time jobs for virtually all my term time and full time jobs during the holidays, plus I took out two student loans.

Many of my contemporaries worked in local bars, cafes, shops on a part time basis, plus did postal office sorting office work over Xmas.

So there's certainly scope for the son to become self-supporting or even contribute to the household.

In context, my mother wouldn't take board off me when I was studying and living at home but my father was in work so the general economic situation wasn't pressing like the OP).

The loss of the child related benefits is a big blow when a household is used to them (but not surprising that the 20 year old son is now treated as an adult in the benefits system) but the real pinch point is the 20% loss of income after this, caused by repayment of loans/overpayment which is entirely unrelated to the son's decision to study and would still be a burden, even if he cancelled his courses.

Can the OP negotiate a smaller repayment plan, perhaps ask CAB to intervene? Might be worth putting the information into the Entitled To website to double check entitlements.

chesky369

How much are the repayments per month?

[Deleted User]

doesnt he get ema?
he will be leaving college at the begin.of june which will give him almost 4 months to work,then if he goes away to uni and gets full student loan,full grant and full bursary(which he should)then he will have £8000+(less if he lives at home),whatever the three of you have to do,it will be worth it when he gets a degree in 3 years time,I know the situation youre in atm isnt easy but stick with it

trygetback

I know exactly what you mean, the hardship of the few month of shortage of income to survive.

Other reader, please notice even while her son could get a part time job, the salary may be weekly or monthly, that means there's a problem.....and to get all this student fund, you have to register to your course that means until very late at September or even October, students could have access of student loan/university bursaries money. Image that you have no money and have to pay all the expenses to student rent, books & equipment, travel fee etc...

yes the money would come but could you survive up to that time?

My own personnal experience is that the student loans messed up so much, the money came late up to Feb this year, that was 4 months later after the course started, the university bursaries must wait until the student loan co. sorted out the application. Luckily, our family friends lent money to us.

And by the way, it's not easy to get into employment right now even for a part-time job or the process is very long... that means no money at that waiting period .

The main point is that once he begin his studies, he would be fine (as long as student loan co work properly), he might get a free interest student bank overdraft to help out his family for this moment.

Now,the problem is how to get money throught this few months before Sept...

Please correct me if I am wrong, the main suggestion is that he should find a job. could he sign on just after he finished his final examination?

trygetback

May I suggest:
1) contact your council student office, they might get some advice for your case. In my council, they actually have some grants for student to apply and they have details for any local grants/charity too. Do emphasis about your crisis not just some general student grants!

2) contact your local newspaper/local tv(?), they might put your story on the paper so some people/business company/charity orgainistion might like to help (small amount of loans?).

3) contact your school now, they might like to help too Or they might like to do some school fund-raising for him?!

4) a lot of student grants available but students normally apply at Sept, I suggest you could do it now, telling them your crisis, they might like to help.

5)I know it's far reach, set up a blog/youtube(?) asking for crisis help/loans for his situation

I know it sounds lots to do and quite harsh but this is all for his future, it's not easy to get a university place, so I hope everything works out for your family. Wish you good luck

Oldernotwiser

trygetback wrote: »

Please correct me if I am wrong, the main suggestion is that he should find a job. could he sign on just after he finished his final examination?

Yes,which is why I suggested it in post #13!

GlasweJen

No, the OPs son could only sign on from the official end date of the course which is usually later than the final exam as colleges usually have an "exam period" and only finalise exam dates after the semester has started.

OPs son should be claiming either EMA or ALG depending on what age he was when the course started, he should also be doing as others suggested and getting a job, mum can't be expected to support him forever and you're not doing him any favours letting him live rent free at 20 years old, in education or not.

OP you need to see CAB or similar and get them to help you renegotiate the repayment in the short term.

TOBRUK

Have you discussed your situation with your son? At the age of 20 he should be made aware of the situation. Has he ever worked, even when he was at school - weekend job etc? He really needs to look hard now for a weekend and evening job even while he is at college, he will certainly need a job even while he is at university. The reality is that at the end of his degree course he will have around £30,000 debt or more!

My neices and nephews have had weekend jobs since age of 14, and one neice has had a waitress job since she was 14 and has been doing some evenings during the week - even when she had exams (towards her GCSE'S) last year. These days they really need to get into a mindset of working at a young age. They have to work and be in a full time course at college or University.