Mature Student With Baby and Debts

GeorgiaMB

Hi All,

Hopefully someone has some good ideas.

I'm a mature student with a fiance and a 6 month old baby. I'm on an NHS course so I get a small NHS bursary (£180 per month) and I've also taken out the largest student loan I can get (£700 per quarter). I also get £81 child benefit. I have taken out a student account with Co-op.

The trouble is my fiance and I are REALLY struggling as we have rent to pay and our outgoings far outweigh our income but the NHS bursary guys don't care about that and seem to think when assessing income, it's fine to only take into account rent or mortgage. Our outgoings are £2279 per month while our income is £2094.

Does anyone have any good ideas about how I can earn some extra cash? Or save a significant amount? Most things we have cut down as far as we can but I'd be interested to see if anyone had anymore thoughts. I am a full-time NHS student (which means I actually work hard for my degree... I'm in uni most days, not the typical few hours a week most students seem to get) and therefore really only have the weekends to play with. But I would like to spend some time with my little baby!!

Thanks!!

Georgia

alyth

I would post over on the debt free board, sorry I'm not sure of the exact name of it, to see whether you can reduce your outgoings, which seem very very high. As a mature student myself I understand the need to budget carefully.

The only thing personally I can suggest is to sell any textbooks you have, as if you're on medical course as I assume you are I know from friends that are doing similar courses that textbooks can cost over £100 each.

Good luck.

MrsManda

It may be worth going on to the debtfreewannabe board and doing a statement of affairs to see if the people on there have any ideas on how to reduce your outgoings. Also have a read of the old style moneysaving board.

What does your fiance do?
Can he work more hours/get an extra job?
Do you claim tax credits?

If you put your household income into one of the benefits calculators such as Turn2us or Direct.gov you'll get a rough idea of whether your fiance can claim any low income benefits such as council tax benefit on behalf of you both.

In terms of earning more yourself have you considered joining the bank staff for health care assistants at the hospital you're doing your placements at?

Person_one

The uni will have an access to learning fund, anyone can apply but they'll expect to see bank statements and won't give you any money if you're spending on luxuries like Sky or lots of clothes etc.

Ring your uni finance office.

yesican

Im a single mom AND also a full time student.I get extra money from uni called discretionary fund.You coud try applying for that if you're really struggling.
Oh and by the way, they not only help me financially every month but they also pay directly to my child's childcare provider which helps me alot financially.

Goodluck..