Struggling on student loan!

sazdz17

looby75 wrote: »

sorry I didn't mean to sound like I was having a go! I realise you were trying to be helpful.

I suppose it's a bit of a touchy subject for me as both me and dd are looking for work without success, I get a bit tired of people telling me it must be because I/she's not trying hard enough.

If only it was that black and white

i agree. I'd love to be able to work and have my own independance and not rely on anything, but I am at university FULL TIME and i'd have to find suitable hours and a suitable job. I dont think bar jobs would be brilliant considering im at uni 9am til 6pm. But im glad someone understands what its like.

sazdz17

bristol_pilot wrote: »

All over the country couples are 'splitting up' and living separately to maximise their benefits so someone clearly advised you very badly when they told you to move in together. Students are expected to house-share with other students and have very little claim on the benefits system and thats what you should do if you want to study and your partner should make his own arrangements. Doesn't stop you seeing each other of course. Getting a pt job might not be the answer if you continue to live together as it will reduce partner's benefits.

I have been in shared student accommodation for the past 2 years and i've only just moved in with my partner under a tenancy of 12 months. As much as it seems the easiest and most ideal option to live separately, we can't.

sazdz17

DCFC79 wrote: »

why do you feel embarrassed and humiliated,

do you live in newcastle or not, theres jobs in newcastle, i found a bar job earlier

Because people are assuming i'm making no effort in trying to better myself and my finances and because jobs are readily available and suit THEIR needs/hours/schedule, they automatically assume that it will be the same for me and that Im just being fussy, when really it's just an idealistic way to look at things. Everyone has different personal situations, schedules, other responsibilities and working 9-5 or some night shift doesn't necessarily work for the next guy.

Emmzi

sazdz17 wrote: »

I have been in shared student accommodation for the past 2 years and i've only just moved in with my partner under a tenancy of 12 months. As much as it seems the easiest and most ideal option to live separately, we can't.

There are 2 bedrooms. He could move in a different friend and alter the tenancy. You could have a house share.

I know you are trying to find a way to make the current situation work; but if there are no jobs, it probably won't. I would not be causing myself stress by trying to make it work.

dseventy

sazdz17 wrote: »

if it was that easy to get a part time job in the north east area with statistically one of the highest unemployment rates, then i would.

I am in the NE and both my older children (17 and 19) have PT jobs, one a dishwasher, one in a computer games shop.

The 17 year old does 2 nights a week, 6:30 -10. My eldest does a saturday and the odd night when they open late.

You seem to be ruling out a job 100% and looking to claim more, have you tried to look for a PT job? Have you a few local pubs? Restaurants, take-aways, shops?

D70

LL30

Balancing finances at Uni is very hard work - I was working 3 jobs and doing a full time course too (plus managing to go out ) and I was exhausted (synonymous with hungover la, la, la!). How many hours is your course - at University level most timetables are heavier in the first year and decrease in subsequent years, I don't think I've ever heard of one that requires you to be in lectures all day every day though. I got some jobs through the Uni - they actually employed me in my first mentoring job, which has carved out my career for me, they're usually good because they know they're employing students and all that brings with it.

I was also wondering what support you're getting as someone who is in a relationship with someone with mental health problems? It's very hard when you're in that situation, and I'd urge you to get some support. Could you talk to his CPN? x

19lottie82

Op just out of curiosity what course requires you to be in uni 9am - 6pm? Are most uni courses not about 16 hours a week?

19lottie82

Oh in addition to my question above, as someone has already suggested, go to the uni finance office, they can help you out with burseries, hardship funds ect

Nirvana9

sazdz17 wrote: »

i appreciate the lecture that everyone is giving me about finding a job when i have tried...
this goes for everyone, do not judge and assume you know everything about someones situation when im asking for help on something else. I have severe depression and im finding it very difficult to find motivation to carry on with daily tasks in life, and now that i have someone whom is now dependent on me, it makes life incredibly hard. I can't manage things, i need help, so i came on here hoping people would help me. But now i only feel embarrassed and humiliated and made to look like im some sort of lazy bum who hasn't even tried to look for a job. Im only 20 years old, Im still young and im finding it very hard to stabilize myself let alone someone else, I have no parents to support me and i had no choice in the matter in moving in with my partner, as i couldn't afford to live by myself, so in theory we were hoping to split the cost of everything to make it easier for us both!!!!!!!

This has given me great reason to not use these forums again.

I do apologise for making you feel bad, that wasn't my intention at all. You never mentioned yourself suffering with depression, only that your partner has mental illness.

I don't assume I know everything about a persons situation when communicating in forums; I simply go on what they have said, and from what you said, it sounded like there was very little holding you back from really trying to get a job. Again, I'm sorry if I upset you and deterred you from using these forums. They really are great forums with a lot of good advice being given (based upon what the person asking for advice reveals about their situation!)

MrsManda

Presuming you are counted as an independent student and thus assessed on your own income rather than your parents you should be receiving ~£4950 in maintanence loan. As you were receiving income support are you receiving the Special Support Grant rather than the maintanenc grant? This is upto £2906. Plus a bursary from your university. You may be able to claim the Adult Dependents Grant for your partner.

It is possible for your partner to claim low income benefits for you both. He needs to apply in his name and they will take into consideration your maintanence loan, maintanence grant (unless it's a Special Support Grant) and bursaries.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_070816