student benefits

charlott

hi, just wondering if someone can help me out.
i am a mother of 3 and currently on maternity leave until sept 10.

i am wanting sum advice on what kind of benefts i wood rec if left my job n became a student as wanting to study midwifery, not sure where i stand as we rent privately and my partner only earns £12,000 a yr.

wht kind of help would i get???

Lokolo

It depends on the course and previous qualifications.

But the usual is student loans + grants, council tax discount assuming your children aren't adults living in the home (because it would be classed as a single paying occupant, so 25% discount).

http://www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=153,4680136&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

You can estimate student loans there.

---

Putting in a date of birth, £12k partner earning and 3 kids. You will get;
- £3,497 Maintenance Loan
- £2,906 Maintenance Grant
- Full Tuition Loan

However, this assumes quite a bit, so we need more info!

AnxiousMum

Not too sure if it's the same where you live, but a friend's daughter went into midwifery last year, and actually got a bursary of £6K for the year. Had she gone into nursing, she would've had to take out student loans etc., and no bursary,but apparently with midwifes they are really trying to increase the number in training and so offered this bursary. It was the decision maker in what course she did.

Person_one

I think students on the midwifery courses get a £6000 a year bursary from the NHS, its competitive and hard to get a place though.

charlott

well i will have to take my A levels at college then look at uni, i am aware of bursery avalable in uni.

i wondering were i would stand with benefits,
my children are 4,2 and 6 months so i rec tax credits and child benefit but wood i recanythin else or wood my incomedrop low as currently rec about£500 a month on maternity as previously worked 20hrs a wk.

bestpud

An Access to HE course may be better for you - some colleges do specific nursing ones.

Obviously you won't be earning unless you get a job but you may be eligible for the adult learning grant. I can't do a link as using my phone but you can google it or info is on the direct.gov website.

If you are under 25 and it's your first level three qualification, you may not have to pay tuition fees. Info on direct.gov again.

You would receive ctc and your oh wtc so long as he does 16 hours or more and on his income you'd not pay nhs charges. Go to entitledto.com and put on as though you are already on an income of £12k to see figures.

Your problem, I imagine, will be childcare. As far as I am aware you will receive no help unless you work 16 hrs or more, or there is a local scheme you can tap into (rare).

Does you oh work regular hours? If so you could explore evening study. Otherwise the OU may be an option for getting enough credits for uni.

Before you can apply for uni, you will need GCSE maths, English and science (latter depending on you age). You will also need relevent work experience but it doesn't have to be in a maternity setting - it is to prove you are realistic about all aspects of care work as much as anything.

Many unis run open or taster days and they are well worth attending because midwifery is very competitive.

That's all I can think of for now! Hope it helps a bit!

Indie_Kid

bestpud wrote: »

Before you can apply for uni, you will need GCSE maths, English and science (latter depending on you age).

On access courses, they do maths and english as part of the course.

Oldernotwiser

sh1305 wrote: »

On access courses, they do maths and english as part of the course.

Some Access courses include English and Maths, on many others those that need them take them alongside the course as an extra.

OP, you need to bear in mind that the practical placements on midwifery courses can include shift work and so many people wait until their children are a little older before embarking on a course; it depends how good a support network you have around you.

charlott

thanks for replies, i hve had some info on the college course they are offering a 2 yr @ 8 hrs a week and that is to get relevent gcses and A level needed to then go on to uni midwifery course at least then 2 of my children will be in school.

my partner does work 35 hrs a wk but cant garentee tht it will be same hours every wk, so child care is the problem especially when it comes down to work too its trying to balance it all, i dont think i would be able t tart course this september as wont be able to get onto the course with such short amount of time.

Does anyone know whether it is possible to do A levels @ diploma on evening but bet it depends on the college.

i just wanna see what is available to me.