Can we get financial help for travel to college

skintandscared_2

Blobby8 wrote: »

Why not ? Does she prefer to walk ?

Blobby8, 24 miles a day on a pushbike is a bit OTT to expect a young girl to do every day, with potentially a bag full of books as well! I know I wouldn't want my neice out on the roads that long every day, half the year in the dark/cold/wet/snow...

FBaby

STOCKWIRE wrote: »

the taxpayer should support her as she will put more back into the system in the long run.

Do you mean MIGHT put more back into the system?

My partner went to a very prestigious private college, I went to the local rubbish one... 20 years later, I contribute just the same in taxes as he does...

You can't expect tax payers to support people's choice just on the basis of the small probability that they will contribute more later in life...

Blobby8_2

skintandscared wrote: »

Blobby8, 24 miles a day on a pushbike is a bit OTT to expect a young girl to do every day, with potentially a bag full of books as well! I know I wouldn't want my neice out on the roads that long every day, half the year in the dark/cold/wet/snow...

What do you suggest then ?
OP is skint & asking for suggestions.
I assume the young lady is fit and well, any money she has will have a value to her, if she wants to use that money for a bus fine , she will have less for other things, its called opportunity cost.
If she has no money I dont see a choice.
Twelve miles isnt tough in Essex (fairly flat) and the excersize will be good for her.

Sixer

My (rural) area charges £500 per year for sixth form and FE bus passes for 16-18 year-olds. £250 if the parents are on JSA or IS. Even if it's the nearest school/college. Pass is valid for one return journey in term time Mon-Fri and 30% discount on single fares at weekends and in school holidays (but not for extra weekday journeys during term time). Our nearest secondary school (or college) is eight miles away. I can imagine this sort of thing is going to be tight for a great many families.

skintandscared_2

Blobby8 wrote: »

What do you suggest then ?
OP is skint & asking for suggestions.
I assume the young lady is fit and well, any money she has will have a value to her, if she wants to use that money for a bus fine , she will have less for other things, its called opportunity cost.
If she has no money I dont see a choice.
Twelve miles isnt tough in Essex (fairly flat) and the excersize will be good for her.

Ok, my suggestions would be to check the college noticeboards on day one to see if anyone is offering car-share. Sometimes the 2nd years drive in, and want people to share the journey/petrol money. Or do any neighbours work in the same area as the college, that she could travel in their car and pay them petrol money? Or see if the college runs its own subsidised bus service - some do from nearby major towns. My niece's college is an hour's drive away from her home and her college runs a once-a-day bus through her town that she catches. Are there any travel discounts with an NUS card? Sometimes they offer money off train or bus travel.

STOCKWIRE

FBaby wrote: »

Do you mean MIGHT put more back into the system?

My partner went to a very prestigious private college, I went to the local rubbish one... 20 years later, I contribute just the same in taxes as he does...

You can't expect tax payers to support people's choice just on the basis of the small probability that they will contribute more later in life...

Yes "MIGHT". That's why we try and educate all Children~ to give them all an equal opportunity to achieve.

sazzyc10

Hi

Have you looked at the accsess to learning fund?? U have to apply after u have spent the money but it might be worth looking into.

narabanekeater

Op, it may may you to look into signing as self employed for a couple of hours a week so up your hours to claim working tax credit. Avon or Betterware would be an idea

dibuzz

Here you can get a pass for the nearest college only.
My daughter went to a different one and had to pay £575 for the college bus for 1 year.
There are no concessions for people on low income or benefits but this is the college she feels she will do best at and my kids are the most important thing in my life so we managed by borrowing off gran and big brother.
It's just over 5 miles each way so she did think about using her bike but it's a bad route down country lanes notorious for boy racers so we decided safety was more important than money.
We did look into it and work all this out before she signed up for the college, no point picking the best college then not being able to get there.