Student MoneySaving: Funding, Borrowing & Living as a student Article Discussion Area

magic_muffin

Hello,

I've got a place to study full time Pharmacy in September. This is at undergrad level. I've already got a degree and have studied at postgrad level too. I'm 27, married, no kids and wondering does anyone have any experience of starting as undergrad again to change careers??
Most importantly is the funding:
Is anyone aware of any loans or grants i'd be eligible for? I've tried the NHS but they don't support Pharmacy (maddeningly) and also Boots/ Lloyds, etc but no joy there.
Any suggestions appreciated, especially in light of affording the tuition fees!

Many thanks

Lokolo

Nope I don't think so because you are going backwards (in terms of qualification levels), however it may also depend on how many years of finance (I would assume if you haven't had any loans etc. before they would give you it even if you do go back to do a degree).

Theres a calculator here: http://www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=153,4680089&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Suewellbrook

Hi,
Sorry new to this forum and not used site for ages.
My daughter finished Uni June 2008 with her degree, and has been working since then, and has just got a place at Birmingham Uni to do her PGCE inSeptember 2009. She is living with her boyfriend and we do not support them at all. I was wondering what she can apply for in the way of student loans, help with paying her rent, bills etc as she won't be working. I see someone else mentions that even though she is independent from us, because she has not been working for three years she can not be classed as independent so does that mean we have to fill out the student loan forms like we did when she was at uni before, thereby all our incomes etc will be used again?
Seems mad when she is trying to do it all herself. Any help and advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Guidance to sites on here or anything.

Thanks very much
Sue

Oldernotwiser

Unfortunately she can't be classed as an independent student unless she's supported herself for a minimum of 3 years, excluding being a full time student. She will be eligible to apply for fee and maintenance loans but will also be eligible for a Training Bursary.

"Training bursary

Trainees may be entitled to a tax free bursary from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). The size of the bursary depends on when you start training and what subject you train to teach.
For those starting training in 2008/2009:
Subject you train inTax free bursary amountMathematics £9,000 (£225 a week)Science £9,000 (£225 a week)Information and communications technology £9,000 (£225 a week)Design and technology £9,000 (£225 a week)Modern languages£9,000 (£225 a week)Religious education£9,000 (£225 a week)Music£9,000 (£225 a week)All other secondary-phase subjects£6,000 (£150 a week)Primary phase£4,000 (£100 a week)" (Info from TDA Website)

magic_muffin

Thanks Lokolo,

Had another go at the calculator and it suggests may be eligible for the maintenance grant so I think it's still worth applying. Handy to be "means tested" for applying for anything else I can find, I think.

Shall have to ring them up and update my details as now married and moved LEAs twice since I first applied 10 years ago or so!

Fire_Fox

randomways wrote: »

and lokolo suggestion is not as easy as it looks, my dad won't give me any money, I also have to pay for living during the summer and other holidays and also if I live off the basic maintenance of a 40 week student calendar I would have after rent a mere £11.75 a week to spend all the necessaries. I could get a job but all the jobs are going to go because of this credit crunh because so many jobs are going under there because mass unemplyment, this means there are no jobs to be taken.

You are 21 and still expect your dad to give you money? It sounds to me like your father is trying to teach you how to stand on your own two feet. So prove to him you can and maybe he will relent and complete the forms; if he doesn't you will still be in a position to support yourself. Your dad has a right to be "arrogant" as he is the one with his own business.

Firstly apply for the maintenance grant and full loans. Secondly get some help from college in producing a really professional looking CV and covering letter, and make as many copies as you can afford. Write a list of all potential employers in your area and start looking for work over the summer break - two part time jobs or one full time job - cleaning, gardening, barwork, supermarkets, employment agencies, high street stores, local hospitals and council offices. Don't wait for jobs to be advertised, hand deliver CVs or put cards in corner shop windows.

Then write another list of potential employers nearby your chosen place of study. Send another stack of CVs and covering letters off a month or more in advance of moving to the new area. Follow up as many as possible with either a visit or telephone call, and you will be working before the average student has unpacked their bags! I got three interviews and two job offers from doing exactly that when I moved to this area, one known for its high unemployment rate. Sixteen hours a week at minimum wage is £4000 a year - there are entire families living on this much!

You also need to plan your budget. If you don't know how much rent you might have to pay or what a student travelcard costs, do some research.
http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html
Ask for supermarket or amazon vouchers for christmas and birthdays. Apply early for a student bank account. Read through this entire website: the Debt-Free Wannabe board, the Up your Income board, the Freebies board. Join a cashback site and several survey sites now and the money will start coming through by the time you leave for university.

If you still can't manage financially you can defer for a year, save up and try to achieve your independent status. However you may well find that your new improved attitude impresses your father and he is willing to complete the income assessment forms.

kenlaing

We have two students at university, my wife is about to retire, part of her pension is a lump sum ( supperannuation), will this reduce their student loans ?

Oldernotwiser

kenlaing wrote: »

We have two students at university, my wife is about to retire, part of her pension is a lump sum ( supperannuation), will this reduce their student loans ?

No, a lump sum doesn't count as income.

atypical

In a indirect way, it depends on how large the payout is and what you do with the money. Enough money and the interest earned could have a substantial impact on income.

DAVIMOO

Can anybody help me please, my son got a student loan and a maintenance grant and dropped out 2 months before completing his first year. He now has a job but only earns £13K but he is having to make payments to return the student loan and also the grant, is this correct?

Thank You.