First time poster on this board :)

Deepmistrust

kkjamor wrote: »

Hi All

I am absolutely desperate to go back to college. I am 23, a mum and I work full-time. I have had 3 years of hell and suffer with Hemiplegic Migraine which pretty much take over my life at the moment due to my job. Basically, I love to learn and have always wanted to study Criminology and Psychology.

My head needs a break for a year or so from the stress of working life and I have managed to get my hubby to agreed to me going to college if I can get the same in benefits as I would get if I was working (about £950).

Does anybody know what is available to me? Hubby earns £600 per month and we have a 3 year old.

Any help much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

K x

p.s. we have also just been made bankrupt if this has any impact?

Based upon your husbands income, I'd say you'd qualify for maximum tax credits. But in addition, you may also qualify for your college's "learner support fund", which may either provide a creche place at college or help with childcare costs for your 3 year old. They'll also help you with costs of books and equipment for your course.

But don't know about any other benefits I'm afraid, someone else may have a better idea about those.

sunnyone

kkjamor wrote: »

I'll make my way to CAB, thanks for your help.

I honestly cant see that studying and worrying about money will improve your health, if you miss lots of time through illness you will constantly be under pressure to catch up, look after your child and worry about cash.

You get CTC and working tax credits now, you may get a bit more but it wont replace your wage.

You would get the 25% council tax reduction because you are a student and may get LHA.

You wont get any money for studying while doing the access course and if you could do this part time it would be best, you may recieve funding for universtity but it depends on many things.

kkjamor

Deepmistrust wrote: »

Based upon your husbands income, I'd say you'd qualify for maximum tax credits. But in addition, you may also qualify for your college's "learner support fund", which may either provide a creche place at college or help with childcare costs for your 3 year old. They'll also help you with costs of books and equipment for your course.

But don't know about any other benefits I'm afraid, someone else may have a better idea about those.

Thank you so much for your response. I will look in to that. x

Deepmistrust

kkjamor wrote: »

Thank you so much for your response. I will look in to that. x

No problem, and I just want to point out, that is just while you do your access course.

Your uni degree funding will be completely different, you'll receive student finance then.

kkjamor

Thank you

kingfisherblue

Just to say that studying can be very intense and at times stressful - will this have an adverse effect on your health? I studied for my degree part time (I'm carer for my disabled son and knew that full time would be an impossibility for me). There were times when I was studying past midnight and I was ready to give it all up. It was worth it in the end, and I graduated with a good grade, but I did get stressed out at times.

Indie_Kid

sunnyone wrote: »

You wont get any money for studying while doing the access course and if you could do this part time it would be best, you may recieve funding for universtity but it depends on many things.

She can claim adult learning grant if she meets the criteria.

kkjamor

Thank you, I will look in to that.

I can get a letter from my GP. He has been advising I stop working for the past 12 months.

welshmoneylover

kkjamor wrote: »

Hi All

I am absolutely desperate to go back to college. I am 23, a mum and I work full-time. I have had 3 years of hell and suffer with Hemiplegic Migraine which pretty much take over my life at the moment due to my job. Basically, I love to learn and have always wanted to study Criminology and Psychology.

My head needs a break for a year or so from the stress of working life and I have managed to get my hubby to agreed to me going to college if I can get the same in benefits as I would get if I was working (about £950).

Does anybody know what is available to me? Hubby earns £600 per month and we have a 3 year old.

Any help much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

K x

p.s. we have also just been made bankrupt if this has any impact?

Have you looked at the prospectus for The Open University? They do both courses and will be in a position to earn while you learn.