Mature student grants for desperate housewife!

nursek

Hi I am a 40 year old mature BSC chiropractic student coming to the end of my second year of study on a 5 year course. I am managing to just about fund my course fees of £450 per month via 2 jobs, around 30 - 35 hours a week. I am still having to manage the home and 2 children ( 12 and 6) as well as trying to study 20 plus hours a week! Hubby works all hours available and is also trying to up career income with his own study programme. Luckily his employers help with his funding.
I still need to up my income and wondered if there were any charitable based grants loans available to help.

I have tried career development loans but we have an adverse history so just about wont be touched with a barge pole by anyone! Any help, information, suggestions more than welcome.

holstar

Have you tried your university SU or the financial department? They might be able to help with some hardship funds.
LEA/council might be worth a try as well.

nursek

Trouble is we are only accredited to the university (of wales) as college is the only one in the uk. Do not know if I am still eligable for all of the uni support systems. Lea do not recognise the course. Have also tried NHS funding too but no good.

aberstudent

Surely all courses of the University of Wales qualify for support, even if you're only acredited. Definitely talk to the university about it, I'm at the university of Wales, Aberystwyth and their finance policy is really good - so long as you don't mind answering quite a lot of personal question. I woud say head for the Student Financial Support Office - also many universities have a society for Mature Students - they may be able to help you/direct you, as well as being useful for other matters.

Also, I'd look into all of the government schemes for adult learning - their seem to be loads of them:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/fs/en

There is a whole section on helps for adult learners - there is money out there, it's just tracking it down that's the problem!

nursek

thanks for this - am with aberystwyth also so will try there first thing.;

freelancemermaid

have you tried applying for access to learning fund?