Parent of 2011 student queries

Lokolo

To be honest, each university is different. Same with jobs. I have applied for a number of applications, same C.V., same job, same sector, different companies and some of them I get rejected from straight away, some of them have offered me jobs.

maggiesoop

frames1_uk wrote: »

My child starts uni this year, I never went to uni so I have no experience of this, so we're muddling through together.

She has only had one reply out of 5 so far, can you tell me the average timescale of replies?

She has applied to 3 unis in Scotland and 2 in England. How soon should we apply for funding? It will be income based as I'm a single parent on a low income, so the maintenance grant will be allowed.

Are there other parents on here that are just as clueless as me?

Hello!
Just came across your message when I was looking for any help/advice for my son going to Aberdeen Uni this September, I wished I'd found it earlier as you and I are in EXACTLY the same boat!

I'm a single parent on a low income too. Left school with 2 O grades and 1 Higher so this malarky is all new to me too.

I know there's tons of info out there, but that's the problem, soooo much to read! I really just hoped the school would kind of give me a timeline on what to do and when but no, we have to do it all alone!!! to say it's been a learning curve is an understatement.

I'm on Family Tax Credits (which of course will be losing after summer ) and live in Edinburgh (fantastic City). My son got a conditional to go there, but he decided in his own words to "move out of his comfort zone" and go to Aberdeen (3 hour train journey from me) so, as much as I encourage his decision I can't help being a mum and think OMG it's FOUR years. Like your daughter, he's not a party type, in fact he's in his room most nights, but I can only hope that I've taught him enough common sense and life skills that he'll be OK.

I'm still at a loss to understand all the grants/scholarships/student loans financial stuff. I've just applied to SAAS for a full grant (approx £5000 per year which only just covers his accommodation) and hope that the Uni will advise if there is anything else I can apply for but if you know of anything else, please let me know!

Has your daughter decided where she's going yet? Wouldn't it be fun if it's Aberdeen !!

Kind regards
Mags

AnxiousMum

Check and see if the Uni's that your son/daughter are considering as first choice offer a bursary based on household income. I know my son's uni, Reading, offered a bursary to low income families of, if I recall correctly £1K or £2K per year of study but ONLY if the university was accepted by the student as FIRST CHOICE by a certain date - I think it was August 1st. I don't know the ins and outs of it as it's not something he qualified for, but on the Student Loans application, if it is parental sponsored - it asks the parent if they can share the information with the University. Tick that box - as that's where the University gets the income information from and determines whether or not the bursary will be paid by the Uni. The bursaries are normally paid out at same time as student loans I believe.

Also check locally for any bursary/scholarships. I know our village has a £500 first year scholarship for students headed to uni who have lived in the village for the previous five years.

Also for the OP - you say that your ex lives abroad, and that neither of you want to 'ask' him to help support your daughter through university. Which country does he reside in? Reason I ask....my ex lives in Canada, and child support there is looked on as continuing through university if the student is still a dependent. So, rather than him not qualifying for any of the grants etc. due to my partner's income, and my partner being obligated to provide towards my son's university education because Student Loans say he doesn't qualify for grants - it's not that way at all, it is still up to his father and myself to provide the extra funding needed, and the child support comes in handy, as that covers his accommodation each month. He has savings from part time work, and a university trust fund which he can have access to next year, but also, headed into medicine in a couple of years, and expecting to have to pay higher tuition fees (without student loan to pay for it), this money is imperitive to him being able to have the funds to fulfill his chosen path (which we as parents agreed to provide for when he was younger).

Keep a couple hundred pounds aside for freshers' week - not only is there the deposit on the halls to be paid (ours was £200), but when they move in, there's common room fees which were essential (about £40), freshers week wrist bands (about £25), additional insurance to cover things whilst outside of halls (think it was about £40) and the initial grocery shop which if she doesn't have her student loan through (which she won't until two or three days after registering as being present at the university). If she wants to join various societies, or try out for sports teams, there is usually a fee of about £10 to try out for a team - all kinds of little hidden expenses in that first week!

frames1_uk

just remembered this thread. Well my daughter has accepted Aberdeen as first choice, conditional on one A and two Bs, which she will hopefully achieve, although is having some confidence issues with this! I/We sorted out the student loan and she has been awarded full loan and grant and tuition fees. Applied for a bursary to the uni, but won't hear until end of June apparently.

As for ex living abroad, CSA rules are only up to age 17, higher education isn't included in any maintenance obligations unfortunately, so it will be down to his own decision whether he wants to give her any extra money. My income will go down massively of course, as will lose tax credits and child benefit, so.... time to tighten the belt!

frames1_uk

just a catch up, my daughter got 2 Bs and an A* (!!) no one more surprised than her! So... she has accepted Aberdeen, unfortunately she wasn't successful for a bursary, but as she has the full tuition loan and full maintenance loan and grant, she'll just have to learn to budget wisely. I've got 2 boxes full of essentials for her, kitchen stuff and toiletries, bedding etc. She's excited but natually anxious too, it's so far away!!

Hope everyone else got the grades they wanted.

maggiesoop

She must be sooooooo happy. My son got an A Higher Media Studies and B in Advanced Higher Engish so he's pleasantly surprised too. Luckily he had an unconditional place at Aberdeen so didn't need to nervous wait for results. I'm not looking forward to taking him up to Aberdeen either, I'll be a bubbling mess when it's time to leave and I'm only 3 hours away!!!

frames1_uk

well done to your son, can't believe the due date is coming around so soon!

maggiesoop

frames1_uk wrote: »

well done to your son, can't believe the due date is coming around so soon!

Hi there, wonder how you got on over the weekend?

I'm just home from Aberdeen. We went up on Saturday, mayhem at Hillhead! My son is at Mealmarket Exchange through Unite so much quieter. A shaky start, he was VERY nervous about meeting his flatmates. He's discovered there's 3 boys and 2 girls on his floor and all seem nice. Saying goodbye on Sunday afternoon wasnt as bad as expected due to (a) I dropped him off at a bus stop so no public crying just a big hug and (b) he's home in 3 weeks time for an important golf match so doesn't seem too far away.

The house is creepily quiet although I am missing him and feel if anyone says anything nice about him I'll burst into tears!

How are you?

melancholly

maggiesoop wrote: »

The house is creepily quiet although I am missing him and feel if anyone says anything nice about him I'll burst into tears!

hold on to this feeling and remember it when he comes back at Christmas and spends lots of time out with friends, while dumping laundry on you

maggiesoop

melancholly wrote: »

hold on to this feeling and remember it when he comes back at Christmas and spends lots of time out with friends, while dumping laundry on you

Just been skyping with him - not up til 11am then sitting around his room eating peanut butter sandwiches when he should be OUT and ABOUT! Mmmm the feeling is subsiding at the rate of knots! :rotfl: