Benefits when you have children who are in further education

AngelBadger

Do students not take finance into account when they are choosing which universities to go to anymore? I was desperate to go to certain Uni's when I was applying but it just wasn't financially viable, the accomodation, both halls and private student houses would have just about been covered by the student loan. Therefore I had to choose a uni in an area within my budget, and then hope that I could get a job too to make life a little easier.

Most intelligent people wouldn't buy or rent a house that left them with nothing after, so why do students who know they have to support themselves?

Also, home internet access for students isn't a necessity, but it makes life a lot easier. If you have to use the library etc for books and the internet then you have to be organised, but who said university was supposed to be a walk in the park.

As for the OP, ask your girls to look into their universities hardship funds, I think most uni's have them. It's not a massive amount but I know many people who apply for them around this time every year with no problem.

bestpud

If uni libraries are not delivering the service that is needed, why on earth don't people make a fuss and work towards getting a service they find helpful?

Surely that is better than spending money you don't have?

And for those who say this doesn't work, my uni has just backed down on a rule to do with assessments after students kicked up a fuss, so it does work if you are persistent!

And someone has to be first to get the book, so why can't it be you?

In my experience, it is easier than you think if you are organised, as too many don't bother because they think it is not worth it!

As for dyslexic students having no fines - they also receive a higher allowance so are less likely to need library books anyway. Even so, you can still recall them at my uni and you need to question it if you cannot at yours! Badger the librarians and they will call the student and basically pester them until they return it - don't just leave it!

This boils down to excuses tbh and that's fine if students can afford books, but there is ways around it.

As said, uni is not meant to be a walk in the park!

bestpud

lizzielondon wrote: »

library recall systems are not without fault- students with dyslexia etc are not fined for late return at my library- meaning some students have no incentive to return the books on time. The 24 hour texts can not be recalled and students simply return them and immediately reissue them

most parents i know with children at university do not see helping their children with living expenses a 'con'. If they are able to help, they want to do so

some universities and courses do not allow you to work part time. Many have limits for the number of hours you can be expected to work without it damaging your grades

But, if they are not able to help, they should not worry their child will starve to death or fail without the required texts, as they won't!

That's the point being made here!

All these things are desirable but they are not essential!

Oldernotwiser

lizzielondon wrote: »

most parents i know with children at university do not see helping their children with living expenses a 'con'. If they are able to help, they want to do so

It's not really a question of helping children with living expenses though. Like Bestpud, I've been a mature student and have listened to the stories that students have told their parents and have heard about what they've actually done with the money they've been given for living expenses and books.

I'm sure that's what was meant by the word "con".

seven-day-weekend

I find it difficult to believe that four of them, between them, can't manage to buy a basket of gtoceries.

Either bad budgeting or someone is not telling the truth.

LondonDiva

Extremely surprised that none of your daughers can find any work whatsoever.

Have you checked that they have (at home & at uni):

*signed up with every job / temp agency - Reed, Addecco etc and ring them daily to chase jobs
*signed with care homes / care agencies (massive shortage of untrained / low skilled staff)
*ebayed any spare items
*sold old books to the uni bookshop
*walked around every fast food place and supermarket on each high street looking for a vacancy
*checked local cleaning agencies
*contacted uni to see if they could work in the uni halls if they ae rented over the summer holidays
*signed up to event agencies to work as waiters / cleaners etc over the holidays.

If they've done every single thing on that list & can't find work - please let us know where they're based at home & uni (cities) and I'm sure lots of peopel would be happy to help higlight potential opportunities they may have missed.

Jowo_2

I can believe that it is a much harder struggle for students to find part-time work these days compared to when I was an undergraduate 15 years ago.

For a start student numbers have swelled, eastern european migrants typically take up the lower paid/casual end of employment and they moved to the UK in large numbers, mothers are now expected to return to work when their children are 7 instead of much older, and there's a big recession on. More competition, less opportunities.

But I do wonder how much the mother has conveyed to her 3 adult daughters about her perilous financial situation because there seems to be an expectation from them that mum will provide once their student funds run dry. Perhaps if they knew how far their mother is stretched and how stressful she finds it supporting them when their money runs out, they'd be much more careful with their limited funds and try to increase their income.

Yes, finding jobs is tricky but it seems their household is currently going through a harsh 'don't work, don't eat' phase - do the daughters actually know how perilous it is for their mother?

Spendless

wendyj90 wrote: »

I really need some help - I earn £53 per annum over getting any working tax credit. My three daughters are al at Uni, but with the current employment problems only one has been able to get a part-time job to assist her, though they sometimes send her home after a couple of hours so she earns hardly anything.

All three daughters live away during term time but then come home, ie now for the Easter holidays.

I have had financial problems so am paying off debts to a management company, with my mortgage and other bills I am left with about £30 per month for food, petrol basically everything. Now my daughters are home for the next few weeks I have no money to support them.

I have checked and it doesn't appear that I am entitle to any benefits. Does anybody know if they are entitled to anything. All three have Tuition Fee loans, Maintenance loans and they get a maintenance grant because of my low income - but this just covers each term they are away!

We are all very worried - so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Wendyj90

Ok so to get you thru the next few weeks whilst they are home for Easter. Go over to the Oldstyle board for ideas on making your food budget go a long way. Meal plan. Your daughters can make the meals whilst you are at work and they are at home. Ebay, car boot sale? Put word out that they are available for babysitting jobs.