Struggling on student loan!

Oldernotwiser

If you've been a student for the last 2 years, how have you been managing to claim IS and HB during that period?

learningtoridethewaves

Maybe you should go to the Uni to get financial advice - I haven't read all the posts, but you may need to reassess your student loan and grant as you would have applied, I presume as a single person - now you are a couple.
There are a number of grants out there from charities as well and your uni should have a database.
I am not sure what will happen with your partners ESA - maybe try a benefits calculator - look on the internet.

bendix

The OP is a 20 year old student and seems to think it is her god-given right to be supported by the state in the lifestyle choice she has chosen for herself. Why?

If you want to live as a couple, fine. Do it. It's your choice. But accept that there are financial consequences to do that, particularly as you are being supported by the taxpayer (something that is not their choice). If you can't support yourself as an adult in an adult relationship, why should the taxpayer. If you don't like it and can't manage, go home.

Your age group wants and expects to have your lifestyle options supported by others. Tough luck. It isnt like that in the real world.

There are numerous things you and your partner could do to make money if you thought about it. Ironing, a window-cleaning round, a bar job. What are you really saying is that there are no gilt-edged jobs you want to do provided by others for you in the North East.

Welcome to the real world.

doodoot

I'm a mature Uni student doing a full time degree and I've just started my 3rd year - I'm also a part-time working mum to 2 young boys so I have to fit my module choices around school start/finish times and work.

(I have a max of 12 hours teaching time, but I've never heard of classes lasting from 9-6 every day though :eek:)

Although I can sympathise with the OP in finding a job to fit around Uni classes, it is ridiculous to state that there aren't ANY jobs...the truth is that there are jobs, but just too many people applying.

Where I can't sympathise - and please forgive me OP if this upsets you, but truth hurts - is that you started a degree without either sufficient funds or a means of supporting yourself for the whole 3 years.

I hear so many students complaining that they are skint due to having no job or savings...my reply is that they should have arranged a job BEFORE starting their degree.

Why expect the tax payer to fund you?

looby75

doodoot wrote: »

I hear so many students complaining that they are skint due to having no job or savings...my reply is that they should have arranged a job BEFORE starting their degree.

thats far easier said than done if you are moving to another part of the country to go to uni.

My daughter was due to start uni in York this October and her back up uni was Liverpool. How was she supposed to arrange a job in both places before even being in the area or knowing which one she would end up in (as it is she's not going to either this year now )

vroombroom

where in the north east are you? Metro centre are taking staff on for xmas jobs x

bobajob_1966

looby75 wrote: »

thats far easier said than done if you are moving to another part of the country to go to uni.

My daughter was due to start uni in York this October and her back up uni was Liverpool. How was she supposed to arrange a job in both places before even being in the area or knowing which one she would end up in (as it is she's not going to either this year now )

You appear to have a computer in your household. You may be surprised to know that you can search for jobs all over the country(and even overseas, if you are so inclined) on t'internet!

skintandscared_2

What kind of mental illness does your partner suffer from? My partner has been separately diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and various borderline personality disorders. He takes daily meds and, thanks to a very stable and loving home life, he is able to pretty much work full time, with extra days off when he feels he needs them. There may be jobs your partner could do from home - taking in ironing/internet-based work? During the time when my partner couldn't work for some time, we lived in a house-share and only had a room rent to pay which helped. If there is absolutely no way your partner can work, there must be non-means tested benefits they are entitled to??

Plus, I'm really sorry to agree with others on this, but with Christmas approaching there are seasonal part-time jobs out there....

doodoot

looby75 wrote: »

thats far easier said than done if you are moving to another part of the country to go to uni.

My daughter was due to start uni in York this October and her back up uni was Liverpool. How was she supposed to arrange a job in both places before even being in the area or knowing which one she would end up in (as it is she's not going to either this year now )

The answer is to NOT go until sufficient funds have been saved in order to support herself for at least 3-4 months until a job is acquired.

If a job doesn't appear after then either apply for a crisis loan from the Uni, or go back home.

I have a 22 year old nephew in his 2nd year at Oxford - he saved up for 5 years to keep him afloat for his first 6 months there.

He could have easily gone at age 18 and cried poverty but he waited - it has taken me to get to my mid 30's before being in a financial position to afford Uni!

looby75

Some people really are out of touch of how hard it is for Young people to find p/t jobs these days and what employers expect from potential employees

I have lost count of the number of applications, cv's my daughter has sent out for the area we live in an had had very few replys never mind how few interviews she's been invited too. She's asked for feedback from them all and the most common reply, you aren't fully flexible with the hours you can work and you have no experience.

Just today she received a reply from a temp Christmas job she applied for saying that they were very impressed with her CV but they needed clarification that she would be available at short notice for 6 hour shifts and those shifts would vary week to week.

What student can agree to that?