Part- Time student HELP

gingerrockchick

Hey everyone,
A Bit about my background- I'm 23 and have two children, I am a single parent.
I'm due to be starting a part time course in September in Event Management. I have found out that I can get a loan to cover the fees, and income support will continue to Help me, as I'm not eligable for any maintainence loans and have 2 young children. Which is brilliant!!
The problem I'm now faced with is, I will obviously need to buy books, equipment, I desperately need a laptop or some form of computer. I'm obviously trying to save some money but times are tough for everyone I think Where do I go to find out about any grants or anything to help with these sorts of things?
The other thing is child care. My eldest is in full time school, but I have a little one who will be 2 in March. Does anyone know if I can get funding towards child care or if he will be entitled to any free preschool place??

Thank you for reading!

Oldernotwiser

Will you be studying with the OU?

gingerrockchick

No, it will be at the University of Hertfordshire

amiehall

Part-time students are able to apply to Access to Learning Fund same as full-time students and an adviser at Herts could help you with this. Students with children are a priority for the fund so hopefully you should receive some support if you meet the other criteria. A financial support advisor at Herts will be able to advise you of any specific funds available there that you may be eligible for. ALF is definitely one to chase up though.

Oldernotwiser

I agree with the above although I think you're unlikely to get help with childcare for a distance learning course, Obviously no harm in asking.

Person_one

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I agree with the above although I think you're unlikely to get help with childcare for a distance learning course, Obviously no harm in asking.

Where does it say the course is distance learning?

Oldernotwiser

Person_one wrote: »

Where does it say the course is distance learning?

Quite right, for some reason I just assumed that.:o

amiehall

Your university may have a subsidised childminding service available to staff and students, definitely worth asking about as well.

stephyt23

amiehall wrote: »

Your university may have a subsidised childminding service available to staff and students, definitely worth asking about as well.

Definitely worth asking about this. The uni I go to have a creche service on site

roosterpotatoes

Hi there,

I started uni Part time Sept 2011, I am too a single mum with two boys, one is five and my youngest is three. I get help with childcare but only for the hours in which I am at uni (obviously lol)

I received help from the access to learning fund and a tuition fee grant, however I still had to contribute towards tuition fees (as expected) and a book grant from student finance for around £240.

Because my youngest is under five I still qualify for income support however you need to declare everything that you get even though it is not classed as income.

Hope everything works out for you

Mich81

gingerrockchick wrote: »

Hey everyone,
A Bit about my background- I'm 23 and have two children, I am a single parent.
I'm due to be starting a part time course in September in Event Management. I have found out that I can get a loan to cover the fees, and income support will continue to Help me, as I'm not eligable for any maintainence loans and have 2 young children. Which is brilliant!!
The problem I'm now faced with is, I will obviously need to buy books, equipment, I desperately need a laptop or some form of computer. I'm obviously trying to save some money but times are tough for everyone I think Where do I go to find out about any grants or anything to help with these sorts of things?
The other thing is child care. My eldest is in full time school, but I have a little one who will be 2 in March. Does anyone know if I can get funding towards child care or if he will be entitled to any free preschool place??

Thank you for reading!

What loan is it? The new part time student loan?

You should still be eligible for some grants - worth checking on the Uni website and checking what you'd be able to apply for.