Nursing degree-tax credits?

kerrypn

Hello

I am just looking for a rough idea, I am going to apply to do my nursing degree, I am not worried about fees as I know these will be funded by NHS. My question relates to the bursary and effect this will have on my tax credits.

The bursary calculator estimates the bursary at around £10k per annum, which is only slightly less than what I earn now. Will I be able to still claim my child tax credit/working tax credit(since 50% of course is in work on placement) and will this make me entitled to less as I am studying?

I plan to continue working at least one night a week at my current job, which would be 12 hours unless I really cannot afford to work less than full time on top of the course.

We are not entitled to council tax benefit or housing benefit so I am anticipating this will not change, I am just concerned about the tax credits as we will need these to survive.

If these will be affected can I get a student loan despite me getting a bursary?

Thanks for any advice

Person_one

I don't know about CTC, but I know you can't get WTC on a bursary, as you don't pay any tax on it. It has to be classed as a salary.

I'm afraid there is absolutely no way you can work full time alongside a nursing course unless you are happy to scrape through rather than do as well as possible.

Is your current job with an NHS trust? Have you looked into secondment? Its rare but it does happen!

kerrypn

Thank you for your reply. I currently work for a very well known private provider but there is no secondment I'm afraid. Looking at the CTC I will be £280 per month worse off than I am now working including the bursary.

We live on a tight budget now so I need to work out how to counteract this.

I am happy to borrow the shortfall and pay back once qualified I dont just want a handout but obviously need to survive the 3 years!
Can I borrow this shortfall?
I work nights so if I really have to I will continue working my 3 nights a week in between Uni but obviously would rather give the course my full attention.

Thanks for your help so far.

Person_one

I'm sorry, but when you're on placement 37.5 hours a week, working 36 hours on nights in addition is just not an option.

Are you on a bank as a HCA? That's a great way to subsidise the bursary as you can work every hour God sends in the holidays (and the holidays are pretty generous now that nursing is degree only, not as much as normal uni students get but more than schools) but stay free during term time so that you can focus.

Are you the only adult in the household? As a full time student you don't have to pay council tax so that should help a little.

A career development loan is a possibility, but you have to start paying that back pretty much as soon as you finish the course, and its not nearly as easy to walk into a staff nurse job as it used to be.

kerrypn

I am quite lucky that my current employer will offer me a job once qualified.

Thank you for all your advice, I will have a look at the career development loan thank you.

My husband stays at home with the children(6 4 and 2). He has tried to get a job but he never even gets an interview, which is why I am working full time at the moment. I just dont want to be stuck on the minimum wage all my life and its now or never.

Dunroamin

I totally agree with P1 that working for 36 hours at night isn't feasible alongside a full time degree course, not least because of the risks to your patients.

You can still claim WTC if you work 24 hours (which would be slightly more viable) or these 24 hours can be divided between you and your husband as long as one of you is working for at least 16 hours. Isn't there any way he could pick up a few hours gardening/cleaning /bar work to take some of the weight off you?

Have you also allowed for the fact that your bursary is tax free and that you'll get a 25% discount on your council tax? have you taken into account the dependants' Allowances for your husband and children, which will amount to over £4,000?

You won't be eligible for a CDL as your course is already fully funded.

Hmm71

kerrypn, I'm sorry I don't actually have any practical advice to offer but just wanted to say good on you and good luck. I really hope it all works out for you and your family. Good luck to your husband as well. It can be so demoralising when you don't even get an interview but he will get there in the end.

Person_one

I thought nursing was eligible for a CDL? When I enquired I was told it would be as it was a vocational degree...

kerrypn, I absolutely know that its easier said than done, I've been there, but the most important thing is for your husband to keep up the momentum on job hunting. Its really easy to get low about the situation and start to feel that its impossible, but him finding some, any work at all, even in McDonalds or similar on the weekends, would be the biggest help to your finances.

kerrypn

Hi again

The amount for the bursary was taken from the bursary calculator which accounted for DH and DC. I didnt know we would get a reduction in Council tax so thank you for that.

Poor DH just never gets a sniff-he has applied for every job imaginable in the past 6 months and gets no where, he will keep on trying but its always been easier for me to find work because of the work i do.

I could try and do 2 split nights and that would help, I am determined to find a way around this. If I could possibly make up the shortfall so its just £100 a month worse off we could definitely cope by tightening the budget.

Thanks for all the kind wishes I hope I manage to get this sorted.

Thanks for all the advice too

Person_one

Has your husband considered doing some care work too if its available in your area?

kerrypn

lol person the amount of times ive asked him that question..

its the one job he wont consider doing, he has a weak constitution he tells me lol