Need help/advice with potential student finance for college and uni

TokochickUK

ok.. long start

Im 30 yrs old, single mother of three children aged 6,5 and 3.
Im looking at an access diploma for health and social care professions at my local college which is a full time course.

Then.. a uni course for 3 years also full time.

At the moment I work about 18 hours part time for the local wetherspoons, I get working tax credit and child tax credit.

I Have no idea how to get this started or what financial help I will be able to access.

At the end of all this I would hope to achieve my goal of becoming a social worker.

First thing tomorrow im thinking giving the local college student finance a call, then uni for student finance ...

Any advice very much appreciated

Thank you

Oldernotwiser

You will be eligible for the full funding package for the degree

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm

but funding for the Access course will be more problematic. Your best bet will be to combine study with your current job in Wetherspoons, or something with a similar number of hours, like care work.

MrsManda

As ONW said, getting funding for a full time access course is difficult. Have you contacted the university admissions departments for the course you want to do as a degree?

They may be able to suggest other routes into the course such as an OU course, which you'd be able to do around your current work and are likely to get tuition support for. They may do a foundation degree which would turn your course into a 4 year BSc but you'd get the full student finance package of loans and grants for the whole course.

TokochickUK

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Spoke with financial support at college today and because im a low earner on max working tax credits, and i have no other form of qualification I will have the course price at £60 plus the £100 administration.. but even so much better than £440 plus...

As it stands at this moment in time I would also get a social worker bursery and maintainance grant...

Im so scared!!

I didnt even finish school due to a very unsettled childhood and moving around with mum, so this is all so very different..

Oldernotwiser

TokochickUK wrote: »

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Spoke with financial support at college today and because im a low earner on max working tax credits, and i have no other form of qualification I will have the course price at £60 plus the £100 administration.. but even so much better than £440 plus...

As it stands at this moment in time I would also get a social worker bursery and maintainance grant...

Im so scared!!

I didnt even finish school due to a very unsettled childhood and moving around with mum, so this is all so very different..

Don't be scared. I've worked with many Access students and the vast majority have said it was the best thing that they ever did. Most people on the course will be in exactly the same situation as you are and you'll all support each other. This sort of education is totally different from anything you have experienced before - and far better!