Want to go back to uni.....

Secret1234

Hi there

I'm 24 and have already done a degree in Environmental management and a HNC in Civil Engineering. To cut a long story short i didn't get into Occupational Therapy which i originally applied for and so through advice from my parents i went through clearing and jumped on the first course i could (advice to everyone - don't do this!!)

Anyway my degree got me nowhere hence the reson why i had to do the HNC. I am now in a well paid job but feel i have let myself down as i still desperately want to get into Occupational Therapy or nursing.

Unfortunately i have £17,000 worth of debts which i am currently managing with no probs, this will hoopefully be down to £10k in September (not including £9k student loans ).

I am hoping to start on the course (whether they'll accept me) but i'm worried about how i will make my loan repayments (£293 a month). My tuition fees will be paid for by the NHS and i will get a bursary but this will only be low because my dad earns a pretty sum. He won't be able to help me as he's already done that once and has also paid my 2 sisters through uni and suffered a hefty payout in his divorce.

I'm just hoping i'll get a little support from here, reassurance that i'll be able to do it. And wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. Other than my loan and a mini mobile phone bill i don't have any more outgoings.

Any advice please.....

Tallulah22

Cant really offer any advice, but i just want to wish you the best of luck with it.

I know what its like living your life but having that doubt in your mind about not being able to follow what your heart really wants you to do. i went back to uni after being out of any form of education and being in a really secure well paid civil servant job, now i love it would not have it any other way. yes im in debt and i have no job but i think whatever the outcome of the end of my degree will be really worth it.

Good Luck x

Secret1234

Thanks , every little bit of reassurance helps. I think i'm def going to go for it as i'll only regret it forever if i don't. Its only money at the end of the day......

sockospice

I don't know if the NHS bursary works along the same lines as the GSCC one, but for ours, once you're over 25 you're considered an independent student, so it wouldn't go on your parent's income, only yours. Could be worth checking this out and see if it's worth waiting a year. Plus, you could also spend the year saving as much as possible to get your debt payments down.

greendale9061

Hi,

Im was in a similar situation as yourself. I did started a HND in Animal Management then hald way thourgh the college closed the department due to insufficent funding 4 years ago. I couldn't really find another course so thought I'd start working. I have a good office job with pays well for the hours - £16k for 35hr/week (but not what i would really like to do). Since working I have my own home & hefty mortgage & car + bills too so felt very responsible. In Feb last year I decided to go back to uni - but could afford part time study. I forgot to mention Im in £10k worth of debt - which is managable (bad past relationship which thought his life would be sweeter maxing out all our accounts & cards!)

Well im started uni in September 2006 + it has been a blast. Everyone keeps saying 'its never too old to study for a career! + everyone will be soo proud/jealous that you have the strenght to do it) I have applied or all the grants possible + they didn't consider my parents salaries (good job aswell) as im classed as independent.

I would say go for it, but just make sure your money is under tight control as it could end up being a bad idea, like u already know being a past student.

As im only part time, best thing is to ring your UNI/Council/SLC for advice on full time. All I know is that depending on the course the tutition fees are now £3000/yr, but i don't think it effects you as a training nurse.

Thanks
Kate :-)

Voyager2002

I take it that the debts that you worry about are to banks, credit card firms, etc.

Anyway, if you are not too worried about your credit rating, then you could start the course, then contact your creditors and let them know your new income (ie the bursary); your necessary outgoings; and how much you can afford to pay them each month. And you should also be able to get them to freeze interest. Of course the downside of this is that your credit rating will be ruined, and the debt will still be there once you qualify as an OT. But at least your ambition could be fullfilled.

And well done on getting a place, a bursary and fees paid from the NHS. You have already come a long way.

Blacksheep1979

Why don't you wait another year and save up a bit of money/pay off more of your debts?

Voyager2002

Blacksheep1979 wrote:

Why don't you wait another year and save up a bit of money/pay off more of your debts?

Because the offer of support (fees paid and a bursary) from the NHS is pretty good, and I don't think they will keep it open for a year;

And anyway, is it likely that the OP will pay off 17,000 debts in just one year?

dexters_mum_2

I studied to be a nurse when the diploma course was offered. I finished but felt I had jumped on a course for the sake of it, I didn't really know what I wanted to do and I certainly didn't feel (and still don't) mature enough to be a nurse.

After flitting from job to job, I decided to have a look at my local uni, it was there I had my 'lightbulb' moment and I applyied to study Surveying.

I got in and have been there since Sep 06, I LOVE IT. The univeristy helped me with all my financial paperwork, helping work out what I was entitled to and it could be worth speaking to student support services in the university of your choice to see if they can help you do this.

I also have a mortgage of £80K, a car loan of £8k and I've managed to get through it all, remember your student loan won't need to be paid until you are earning £15k+, but advise SLC you are considering starting a further course.

Look into getting part time work sorted before going to uni too, so you still have some income coming in to help supprt yourself.

My main piece of advice to you....
If you want to do it, do it.

Good Luck

sockospice

Voyager2002 wrote:

Because the offer of support (fees paid and a bursary) from the NHS is pretty good, and I don't think they will keep it open for a year;

And anyway, is it likely that the OP will pay off 17,000 debts in just one year?

I can't see the NHS ending the bursary system any time soon, so it may be advantageous for the OP to take a year or so out, bearing in mind that over 26s can get an extra £600 odd from the NHS bursary system.

No, it's not likely that they'll pay off 17,000 in one year, but they could make a substantial dent into it making it much easier to cope once studying. I've seen many student nurses struggle because they have to do so much paid work while studying.

The OP could use the opportunity to get some really good work experience in a hospital, and make the sort of contacts to make jobseeking easier on graduation (and perhaps more importantly, making placements easier to get).

Blacksheep1979

Voyager2002 wrote:

Because the offer of support (fees paid and a bursary) from the NHS is pretty good, and I don't think they will keep it open for a year;

And anyway, is it likely that the OP will pay off 17,000 debts in just one year?

Well seeing as the op thinks they will be able to pay off 7k in 8 months the maths seems to imply that 12 months from then the op could save up/pay off a further 10.5k....