Mature student funding

Miss_3

Hi

I'm currently studying with the OU but can't wait to be qualified (as a teacher) and earning decent money so I was thinking of going to Uni full time, I'm a single parent though and have a mortgage etc.

How would I fund it, is there something I could do so I wouldn't have to sell my house? Lose all my savings etc?

Here's hoping for a miracle/revelation!

aurora_borealis_2

Why not do OU full time?

Miss_3

I'd still need to find a way to fund living! I work full time at the moment so study part time with them but to finish my degree asap I'd have to study full time and can't do that and work!

anewman

I was surprised that in the news recently it was mentioned that less than 50% of students work while they study.

To go to University I think you should be able to access the funding/loans that all college leavers get. I'm not sure how the system works now as it has changed, but I hope someone comes along soon to explain it all. I think you pay your fees, but to do this you get a loan. And then you get some sort of a grant.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/fs/en may help.

Again I can't say for certain but you may have left it a little late in terms of the application process for this year, but it wouldn't hurt trying.

happysinglemum

Hi,

I'm a single Mum too, and I've just graduated from a full time degree course, and about to begin an MA. I didn't start the application process until the beginning of September, for both the course and the funding, but it wasn't too much of a problem - just a month's delay in receiving the first installment of my student loan.

I was entitled to a full student loan from my LEA, and a single parents' maintenance grant (non-repayable). Plus, when things got really tough, I also applied to the University's Access to Learning Fund, who helped me out of a hole more than once! I worked part-time (1 - 2 days a week), as receiving a student loan means you're not entitled to benefits (although I didn't actually check this out officially - might be worth speaking to the Jobcentre). It was tricky fitting in time with my son, studying and working, but well worth it on graduation day (last week)!

The Student Services office at my Uni (Lincoln) were extremely helpful - especially on the odd occasion when I turned up in tears thinking I wouldn't be able to pay the mortgage! Also worthwhile, is a student bank account, with an interest free overdraft. If you have a chat with student services, they can also let you know about any bursaries that are available. Plus, I believe that teacher training courses offer around £6000 per year training bursaries (there are usually details on the website I believe).

As a postgraduate student, I failed to receive any funding for the course I am due to start next week, but because of that, as a single Mum, I'm entitled to Income Support. But even without Income Support, there is the Tax Credits system (if you dare)...

The best thing to do would be to contact the Uni you'd like to study at and ask a few questions. Also contact your LEA, as virtually everyone studying at uni is entitled to some student loan, no matter how little. Hope this helps.

Miss_3

Thanks. I've looked into all the loans, grants etc, if I can get what I think I can I may be able to do it. :j

I've called the Uni to speak to the English Faculty about applying for Sept 07 so got to wait and hear from them (or chase them!). It's all scary though, I worry about being able to pay mortgage, insurance, etc etc, although I assume I won't have to pay Council Tax if I'm a full time student, hooray!!

outofdate_2

I am about to start a BEd course and I am a single Mum.
I will be getting student loan, and grant and the Parents learning allowance, plus the uni bursary, All together about 9k I think. Plus will still get CTC and child benefit and will not have to pay coucil tax (£1200pa).
85% of childcare cost is covered too so I think I will be fine whilst I am at uni, only problem will be the 22k+ load of debt I will end up with.
Go for it Miss and good luck!

anewman

@happysinglemum - you could look into a career development loan. Read Martin's article here http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1045441846,81288, Basically you can get a loan for your postgrad studies that the government pays the interest on for 2 years, basically free money as you can take out the full amount and put it in a savings account (which is what I intend to do when I start next week). Unfortunately the only problem would be if you're currently on income support it may affect your entitlement and so would the savings.