Would I be entitled to benefits?

CherylOB

The course at my local college is full-time, but I will look at other colleges to see if there is a part-time alternative.

Sorry if I've angered some people, that wasn't my intention! I realise that giving up work voluntarily is always going to be a sore point for some. Personally, I feel very brave for even considering it, but that is just my perspective I suppose.

For the record, I'm not a 'bum'. I've worked since I was 16, had 7 months off when my daughter was born and went back to work. I'm not trying to make out like I'm some kind of martyr, just explaining my situation a little more. I've paid tax and national insurance for 14 years. Would it be unreasonable to ask to be supported whilst I tried to make a better life for me and my daughter? I for one would rather my taxes supported someone like me, than someone that is just plain lazy.

I will also look into what grants/student loans I'd be entitled to.

Thanks for you advice.
Cheryl

Oldernotwiser

CherylOB wrote: »

The course at my local college is full-time, but I will look at other colleges to see if there is a part-time alternative.

Sorry if I've angered some people, that wasn't my intention! I realise that giving up work voluntarily is always going to be a sore point for some. Personally, I feel very brave for even considering it, but that is just my perspective I suppose.

For the record, I'm not a 'bum'. I've worked since I was 16, had 7 months off when my daughter was born and went back to work. I'm not trying to make out like I'm some kind of martyr, just explaining my situation a little more. I've paid tax and national insurance for 14 years. Would it be unreasonable to ask to be supported whilst I tried to make a better life for me and my daughter? I for one would rather my taxes supported someone like me, than someone that is just plain lazy.

I will also look into what grants/student loans I'd be entitled to.

Thanks for you advice.
Cheryl

What degree are you planning to do? Your problem isn't the 3 years of study for this but surviving whilst you do a full time Access course, where funding isn't available. As you're in London, I'm sure you'll find a part time Access, even if it means travelling a couple of miles.

Killmark

CherylOB wrote: »

Would it be unreasonable to ask to be supported whilst I tried to make a better life for me and my daughter? I for one would rather my taxes supported someone like me, than someone that is just plain lazy.

I don't think people were particulary angry by your post, just warned you might find it hard to support yourself.

The point of the welfare state is to act as a safety net and not to support lifestyle choices such as education, so your route for support would be via student funding.

Golden_Anemone

CherylOB wrote: »

The course at my local college is full-time, but I will look at other colleges to see if there is a part-time alternative.

Sorry if I've angered some people, that wasn't my intention! I realise that giving up work voluntarily is always going to be a sore point for some. Personally, I feel very brave for even considering it, but that is just my perspective I suppose.

For the record, I'm not a 'bum'. I've worked since I was 16, had 7 months off when my daughter was born and went back to work. I'm not trying to make out like I'm some kind of martyr, just explaining my situation a little more. I've paid tax and national insurance for 14 years. Would it be unreasonable to ask to be supported whilst I tried to make a better life for me and my daughter? I for one would rather my taxes supported someone like me, than someone that is just plain lazy.

I will also look into what grants/student loans I'd be entitled to.

Thanks for you advice.
Cheryl

Cheryl, have you considered that it may be possible to pursue your dream without giving up your job?

I was a single parent working part time when I returned to education in 1996. I did a part time Access course - 2 mornings a week for 2 years - and I was fortunate that my employer allowed me to work round these hours. I had help from Family Credit - today's equivalent would be Child Tax Credit - at this stage.

I then started university on a 3 year full time degree course and again my employer allowed me a lot of flexibility and I worked 2 x 5 hour days during term time, changing these every semester to fit round my timetable, and full time hours in the summer holiday. I had some pay, a dependants grant and also took my full student loan entitlement. I got a little help from university Access funds a couple of times when things were particularly tough.

I graduated in 2001 and got a graduate level job with the same employer which really changed our lives. My children and I had our first foreign holiday ever and while we're by no means loaded I no longer have to rob Peter to pay Paul at the end of every month.

Have you asked whether your employer could be flexible with your hours to facilitate this or considered whether you could get another job with an employer that would?

Good luck with everything. Yes, there is no guarantee that a degree will lead to a better job but there is every chance that it will. :beer:

viktory

CherylOB wrote: »

Personally, I feel very brave for even considering it, but that is just my perspective I suppose.

It would be brave if you were giving up a job and not relying on benefits to support you in your education.

My mother trained to be a nurse working long hours and earning little money with four children to support. She gave up a reasonably paid factory job to become a low paid student nurse in the hope of securing a good career with good earnings. She received no grants, no burseries and no benefits. Now that was brave. What you are doing is not. If you fail your course, there is always the generous benefit system to support you and your family. You are taking no risks really.

leebee11_2

Hi,
There are some part time Access courses, not many, but they are out there. I did a part time one last year, two evenings a week. Yes it's hard, but definately doable!
In regards to Uni, as a lone parent, if your sole income would be student finance, you would be enitled to the maximum CTC (as non-taxable.) You would not pay council tax as students exempt, and you could get some help with housing benefit, but the amount would depend on the student finance you would receive. I know some people can claim income support during the academic year, but generally student finance cancels this out, and as others have said, the age of the child is changing to 7.
As a single person with a dependent you could be eligible to claim JSA for the summer though.

In regards to the social work comment previously made, no, social work cannot be done through the Open University, but you do not have to be in employment to do it as in your second and third years you complete 100 days on placement for each year (I did Access to Social Work and have just finished my first year on the Social Work degree. Yay, only 2 to go!)
Hope this helps!!!

divastrop

viktory wrote: »

It would be brave if you were giving up a job and not relying on benefits to support you in your education.

My mother trained to be a nurse working long hours and earning little money with four children to support. She gave up a reasonably paid factory job to become a low paid student nurse in the hope of securing a good career with good earnings. She received no grants, no burseries and no benefits. Now that was brave. What you are doing is not. If you fail your course, there is always the generous benefit system to support you and your family. You are taking no risks really.

Was she a single parent? And was this recent or was it back in the days when a family could survive quite comfortably on one wage?

Oldernotwiser

divastrop wrote: »

Was she a single parent? And was this recent or was it back in the days when a family could survive quite comfortably on one wage?

Do tell us when that was - I'd love to know!

viktory

divastrop wrote: »

Was she a single parent? And was this recent or was it back in the days when a family could survive quite comfortably on one wage?

LOL, no, she was not a single parent. It was in the days before benefits made it comfortable to survive on no wage.

divastrop

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Do tell us when that was - I'd love to know!

My parents managed ok on my dad's wage as a shop manager, unless my mother had her rose colour specs on when telling me how it was in 'her day'...