Other financial help for mature students

Fubrite

Hi,

I have decided that I want to change my career direction towards software development, which will require that I get another degree.

As I have already got one degree (general BSc) I am not eligible for a student loan (even though that degree wasn't funded by Student finance or other EU - but don't let me get started on that! ) which means I have to pay my own tuition fees.

The job I have at present is not very well paid, and I don't have much savings.

Can anybody suggest other sources of funding? I have looked at Career Development Loans, but they will not cover the full amount of fees now that the cap has been raised...

MrsManda

Have you considered studying with the OU while continuing to work? You can spread the costs across the length of time of the degree, potentially start immediately while continuing to work.

Do you have any experience in software development? Being able to work while studying may mean you can gain experience while studying making you more employable when you finish.

melancholly

i think the OU is likely to be the best option versus paying the new fees yourself. it's also very well regarded. they have increased their fees too, to £5000 if it's full time. if you go part time, then you pay whatever proportion of the £5K that you attend:

http://www8.open.ac.uk/study/explained/fees-2012

it may well be worth working part time and doing the course over a longer period. (also worth pointing out that a CDL has a downside that you have to start repayments as soon as the course is finished - not always a good option if there is guaranteed employment. although for many people it's that or nothing, so a necessary evil!)

Pammybess

I am a second yr midwifery student I receive a bursary of £384 a month and get a reduced student loan due to type of course of £180 a month as my husband works we don't qualify for dependents allowance for our 6yr old husbands a postman hardly earns a fortune. We have a mortgage and are really struggling with monthly expenses can anyone advise me of any support or additional funding I could get other wise I fear I will have to leave the course

flea72

Pammybess wrote: »

I am a second yr midwifery student I receive a bursary of £384 a month and get a reduced student loan due to type of course of £180 a month as my husband works we don't qualify for dependents allowance for our 6yr old husbands a postman hardly earns a fortune. We have a mortgage and are really struggling with monthly expenses can anyone advise me of any support or additional funding I could get other wise I fear I will have to leave the course

Unfortunately as an nhs funded student there isn't anything else you can apply for

The only option would be to try and earn some money, but I know due to midwifery shift system, that will prove difficult and also means next year any additional income will be deducted off your bursary entitlement, so tbh isn't worth it

I have taken to ebaying off/carbooting whatever I can, just to raise bits of money here and there and cutting back on all household expenditure

I know it's not the best option but can you not rely on CC for the next 18m. I know you aren't guaranteed employment on graduation but you are half way through your course, it would be mad to drop out now, especial as funding is being reduced, so if you left now and came back later, the money situation would be even worse

V_Chic_Chick

Pammybess wrote: »

I am a second yr midwifery student I receive a bursary of £384 a month and get a reduced student loan due to type of course of £180 a month as my husband works we don't qualify for dependents allowance for our 6yr old husbands a postman hardly earns a fortune. We have a mortgage and are really struggling with monthly expenses can anyone advise me of any support or additional funding I could get other wise I fear I will have to leave the course

Could you try doing some bank / agency HCA work at your local hospital? It's flexible and relevant to your degree...

nimbo

Pammybess wrote: »

I am a second yr midwifery student I receive a bursary of £384 a month and get a reduced student loan due to type of course of £180 a month as my husband works we don't qualify for dependents allowance for our 6yr old husbands a postman hardly earns a fortune. We have a mortgage and are really struggling with monthly expenses can anyone advise me of any support or additional funding I could get other wise I fear I will have to leave the course

you're half way through....

can't you look on the old style board to see if you can cut back a bit on groceries, and maybe start selling your [STRIKE][/STRIKE]junk[STRIKE][/STRIKE] I mean treasures on face book or on fleabay in your spare time (I realise you won't have much - spare time).... children's clothes go really well... No need to pay tax if you are selling your old stuff either...

you're getting £564 a month - which isn't as much as you could get in a full time job BUT your earning potential would be opened up when you complete the degree....

and it's more than you would get on benefits while looking for a job...

are you entitled to working tax or child tax credits? I don't know how they work not having kids - but if you go over to the benefits board they may be able to advise - (they sometimes bite there but don't be put off)...

flea72

nimbo wrote: »

you're half way through....

can't you look on the old style board to see if you can cut back a bit on groceries, and maybe start selling your [STRIKE][/STRIKE]junk[STRIKE][/STRIKE] I mean treasures on face book or on fleabay in your spare time (I realise you won't have much - spare time).... children's clothes go really well... No need to pay tax if you are selling your old stuff either...

you're getting £564 a month - which isn't as much as you could get in a full time job BUT your earning potential would be opened up when you complete the degree....

and it's more than you would get on benefits while looking for a job...

are you entitled to working tax or child tax credits? I don't know how they work not having kids - but if you go over to the benefits board they may be able to advise - (they sometimes bite there but don't be put off)...

With one child and a husband earning £20k they would get about £100/m

The problem with nhs funded degrees though is you have no access to additional funding whilst In study. If the OP was studying a non nhs degree they would get over £5k maintenance loan, access to uni based bursaries, dependants allowance and hardship loans

I know overall on paper nhs funding looks good because you don't have to pay it back, but not having much money whilst studying, makes it hard, alongside having to work 30hrs+ a week for the nhs on top of study. Also the extra money you make gets taken off the following years bursary, unlike standard students who can work and earn without it affecting entitlement