Planning ahead for future student

Becles

Just trying to find out more information so I can plan ahead and save up!

I'm a single working mother to three children aged 15, 13 and 5. The eldest is in Year 10 at the moment. He's keen on staying on at school to do A-Levels, then starting a BSc in Biomedical Science in September 2016. I currently get child benefit, child tax credits and child maintenance for him.

I know his child maintenance will stop when he finishes A-Levels, and I'm assuming the child tax credits and child benefit will too.

How does funding for university work and how much roughly will he be able to apply for in loans and stuff? Do you still get grants or has that all been stopped now?

At the moment he's keen on going to Newcastle Uni so he can live at home and get the train each day, but we need to work out how he's going to fund his living expenses.

I know it's a long way in the future, but it's better to be prepared now than panic in 3½ years time!

bouncydog1

For children that want to go to Uni there will be help available. Many of the Uni's have funds available to help those on very low incomes.

Personally I wouldn't be worrying about the funding at present - if your child wants to go to Uni then they will get there.

JimmyJar

However do be aware that certain uni's if family on low income will pay them to go there. I believe at the moment Newcastle uni offers in total an extra £2250 however you have to achieve 3 A's.

There are other uni's which give nothing. However uni's do have an ALF which if there are difficult circumstances you an apply for money, again this can add up to £2000 or abouts.

What I would say, if your kids are high achievers and you need extra money to fund their activities in their specialist areas, then you may be able to get some money now.

Sit and go through (it takes ages) turn2us and try to get help for them now.

You sound like you are a concerned parent and want the best for your kids.

good luck