what can we save???

steiff1

Hi guys

my wife has just entered full time studenthood, I am returning to part-time student on day release from work.

we are finding getting details of what entitlements we can get difficult indeed. all we know so far is a 25% on council tax.

we are married.
have a mortgage
2 kids under 11
the usual household bills.

can you help, as we are having to cut costs big time with only one wage coming into the house now.
we have already cancelled out landline and tv package with ntl(use our mobiles more).

thanks


steiff

lisa_75

You will be entitled to take out a student loan. You can also opt for a loan to pay your fees. I have taken out my student loan and the loan for my fees as I feel it is an investment in my future and also covers thing like childcare/travel. You also don’t have to pay back your student loan until you are earning over £15k and the interest is very low.

Depending on your income you may be able to get help with childcare and possibly a grant from the hardship fund. Give your wifes uni a ring and make an appointment with the financial support section. They are very helpful and will ensure you are getting all the help you are entitled to.

steiff1

thanks for that, but she isnt at university.

she is full time doing NVQ's at college.

do your entitlements change if you're not at uni??

lisa_75

steiff1 wrote:

thanks for that, but she isnt at university.

she is full time doing NVQ's at college.

do your entitlements change if you're not at uni??

It all depends on the level of the course not where you study it.

This link gives you an idea of which courses are eligible
http://www.warrington.gov.uk/learning/he_support.asp

The best thing to do is give her college a ring. They will have a financial support person who will be able to tell her what support she is entitled to.

studentphil

Have a look at things like cheaper train and bus travel if she has to use public transport to go to college, that can be a good saving over the year.

kittiwoz

I don't think you can get much in the way of student benefits and discounts. You can't get a student loan for FE courses. She should be able to get an NUS card though. You might be entitled to some benefits based on your family income so have a look at the "Benefits, Tax Credits and Job Seeking" board if you haven't already. Again depending on your income the college itself may be able to offer you some financial support. They will have a student welfare officer who will be able to tell you about this.

Sarahpuggy

I dont know if this applies but usually students dont have to pay council tax at all, as long as you can prove that you are a student. We never paid council tax and some of us worked part time. I would look into it.

Sarah x

steiff1

the council tax thing is a big issue.

Now apparently unless she is doing 21hrs we get no discount. she does 18hrs.

yet she sees others on the course with this paid and that paid and free bus pass etc..

its not fair is it. currently she is walking to college. a 6 mile journey there and back.

even the equipment for her course is £160.

CIS

the council tax thing is a big issue.

Now apparently unless she is doing 21hrs we get no discount. she does 18hrs.

Thats correct, unless she can have the course certified as 21hrs or more, then she isnt a full time student and cant get the discount, that means the 25% discount wouldnt apply as your wife would still be counted for council tax purposes.

lisa_75

steiff1 wrote:

thanks for that, but she isnt at university.

she is full time doing NVQ's at college.

do your entitlements change if you're not at uni??

Why doesn't she study a HE course? Then she would be entitled to more help. She could do a foundation degree if she does not have any qualifications at present.

steiff1

we have already paid the course fees, and the course has started. as she has no quals this is the level she was told to go in at.

now we are told the the family vredit we would recieve (£43 a week) we cannot have, so we get NO HELP what-so-ever. as she has worked in minimum wage job this year up til starting college, she has had all her entitlements. is this correct, as I thought You got less when working...

anyway, we are stuffed now.

She was mis-informed 3 times, this £43 was to pay towards the childcare, to which I know have to kill myself doing more O/T to pay.

She was told that she would have been better of staying on benefits and not getting a job, because then she would have been entitled to help with college.

just makes you wonder who gets this phantom money doesnt it. you try and better yourself and for what?? debt it looks like.

might as well give up education and full time employment and join all the doley spongers who get handouts left right and centre.