mature student with kids what can i expect ?

mummy2three_2

hi hope this is the right place to put his post up.

I am a single parent with 3 children 12, 9, and 4 years old.

have currently been on income support and doing a 2 year access to nursing course. I have been offered a university place for nursing in september :jand just trying to work out what i am entitled to so any help, advice or info would be much appreciated.

I believe i am entitled to the following although correct me if i am wrong

• council tax exemption (as I am only adult in household)
• nhs bursary consisting of parental learning allowance+dependents allowance
• student maintenance loan only
• child care grant- not sure (hope so!!):o

cant think of anything else

is this everything i would be entitled to?

please bear in mind i would be in receipt of nhs bursury therefore tuition and fees are free and dont think im entitled to anything else from student finance

is this correct and has anyone else lived off this is it doable etc, extremely concerned with possibilty of child care allowance as nursing degree menas you attend 46 weeks of the year no half term holidays etc like traditional uni course. also the play scheme that runs in school holidays at the uni is £24 per day per child which is a scary amoutn of money

:eek:arrrrggg this student finance thing is scary !!

any help or advice is much appreciated

thanx x x

Teahfc

Hi,
I would post this same thread in http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=139

Be warned there are a few cynical and sharp comments at times but ignore them and you will find help no trouble.

mum2one

I would consider doing a statement of affairs based on what you have now (ur income support figures etc)

Then do a new one based on the busray etc, -see if there are any major differences, minor spends you may be able to chop and change, eg cut back on the amount of christmas presents and bday presents you buy for.

for a more accurate figure it may be worth ringing the uni as there have all the upto date figures, esp as you say regarding childcare.

May be worth ringing tax credits to see if you would be entitled to any tax credits, (I have no idea, but worth a try).

Sorry to ask, but do you get any child support?

Congratulations on the uni place, it sounds like all the hard work has paid off xx

Person_one

What university are you planning to go to?

Most offer bursaries for students with a low household income but some don't offer this to NHS funded students for some reason, mine don't, but its worth checking. Some offer bursaries based on grades so if you're on track for a full round of distinctions in your access course that might open up some funding.

All universities have the Access to Learning Fund. This is to help students in serious financial difficulty stay at uni rather than have to drop out. The money they give isn't a loan and doesn't have to be repayed but they do look at bank statements and they don't give money out if you've paid for luxuries such as Sky TV or bought lots of clothes and so on.

Person_one

Here's the information on the ALF from my uni, pretty much the same rules apply throughout England:

Access to Learning Fund

Each year, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) allocates the University a sum of money to be used for the Access to Learning Fund (ALF).

ALF is designed to enable the University to help students who need extra financial support because they have:

• higher than expected costs (such as single parents) or
• they encounter an unexpected financial emergency (for example a burglary).

The Fund can be used for course-related costs such as:

• childcare
• exceptionally high books/equipment/travel costs
• general living costs such as rent

The Fund is discretionary however it is designed to ensure all applications are looked at consistently across all Higher Education Institutions in England.

In order to achieve this standard approach Student Finance issue guidelines which the University must adhere to in assessing applications from students.

If you qualify for a payment from the Fund, it will not usually have to be repaid. Unfortunately we are unable to advise if you would be eligible for an award before you have completed a full application online and submitted your supporting documents as all applications are dealt with on an individual basis.





Here's a link to the guidance from Student Finance: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Typesoffinance/DG_171615

mummy2three_2

thankx for replies everyone,

i will look into all avenues for addtional grants and costs etc and work out my incomings/outgoings as well.

have spoke to tax credits and i can still get child tax credit while at uni and free school meals (thank goodness!!)

mum2one: i do get child support from the three (sperm doners i call em lol) about £5 a week x3 however this is saved in bank accounts for them when there a bit older. One "dad" is in scotland and my dd visits 3/4 times a yr, one has nothing to do with dd2 his choice and ds dad can help out with ds like school collection etc.

so i tend to make plans based on me and the kids and if i need to, make adjustments if and when.
oh and thanx for the congrats xx

mummy2three

Lynlee

Hi I am a single parent uni student of 3 children - it is VERY challenging juggling it all but it will be worth it. With you being an NHS student I do not know the exact rules - however in my situation I get up to 80% of childcare costs of up to about £250 / week (for an OFSTED registered childcare provider), I get a basic student grant, student loan like other students, single parent student learning allowance and tax credits. I also get a council tax exemption and I use a student metro card - to cap my transport costs to around £80 / month. With the nursing may I suggest you look into getting OFSTED registered nanny / home childcare provider who can provide more flexibility and possible help when children sick unlike situation with a childminder or childcare centre - I found someone on childcare.co.uk and it is much cheaper than using a nanny agency. I am currently using such a childcarer to do work placements as part of a live brief for my coursework. Hope this helps, Lynlee