Student and Benefits?

LolStevo

Sorry if this is the wrong section!

Im looking on returning to uni as fed up of being stuck in the benefits trap!

Im a lone parent of 2 children, one aged 2 and one 6 months, im on income support and receive housing and council tax benefit.

If i was to return to uni what would i qualify for? iv been looking for part time work to work around but obviously thats hard due to childcare when id have to work!

can anyone point me in the right direction? x

enabledebra

When you say returning to uni have you studied in HE before as this affects entitlement to funding for most subsequent HE courses. And are you thinking a part time or full time course?

kingfisherblue

My experience is slightly different, but may help a little. I attended university part time whilst on IS - I'm a single parent and carer for my disabled child. I kept all my benefits, my course was paid for by the local council, and I received a £250 grant each year towards the cost of books, travel and childcare. Part time meant that I studied for five years.

I graduated two years ago, but as some things have changed since then, you should take advice from the Student Awards section of your council. I found them very helpful.

Good luck x

crystaltipps

I found there was a lot of support, both personal and financial for me when I returned to education. I was a lone parent at the time and also desperate to escape minimum wage jobs and reliance on benefit top up.

You will get help towards childcare (a friend received 80% of nursery fees for her 3 year old until she started school) and as well as grant top ups such as Parent Learning Allowance. Financially, it wasn't as bad as I thought. As a lone parent you may get some help towards your housing cost if renting. As a full time student you are exempt from council tax. You still get your CTB and CB. You prob won't get IS as your loan/grant package exceeds your income allowed for this benefit (although you will get it for the 'long' summer break between years.) Many universities now offer bursaries - I got a lone parent one.

To be honest though, my daughters were 10 & 12 when I started - the youngest got a place in breakfast club enabling me to make the start of college/uni. They were old enough to let themselves in after school and make a sandwich, if I was ever caught out by occasional errant train and bus delays or late lectures (they also went to their dads for tea on these odd occasions if I knew in advance). They were also old enough to understand I needed to get assignments done. Despite this, there was MANY a time I was up til the early hours. It was bloody hard juggling the house, the kids, assignments, exam revision and general life. My blood fair runs cold at the thought of doing it with a baby and toddler. Personally, I would wait and do something part time and less strenuous. My good friend who I graduated with (last month!!!) managed with a daughter that was just under 3 at the start and is now in reception/KS1 and she would definitely disagree with me! But she did just have the one and it was hard work for us both!

Good luck with your plans - they are worth it. My friend has just got a job as a medical secretary whilst she waits for a place on an NHS clinical scientist course next year. I have worked part time whilst waiting to start a Masters in Environmental Health in September. Life certainly seems to be rosier at the moment, despite the gloomy job market and debt incurred!

Feel free to message me or ask any questions and I will try to advise as best I can. I found the advisors at the Student Union were fantastic if you want 'proper' advice!

Best wishes.

LolStevo

Thank u!

Bit of background:
I studied at uni before for 3 years but each time was first year as I changed uni then dropped out n started again, so I got tuition fee loans in 1st and 2nd year but didn't qualify for the final year

Iv just phoned student loans who advised me that I would only qualify for the tuition fee loan for the final year of the 3 year course I want to study, so that means I have to find £18grand and don't qualify for grants just maintenance loan, I think I'd qualify for parents learning allowance but unsure how much!

I don't no what to do now, Im just scraping by on benefits so don't know where I would find £9000 a year? Maybe use maintenance loan and lend the rest off parents? x

crystaltipps

Your previous studies do seem to make it more tricky.

I have to wonder if you will manage to complete a degree with two young children to consider this time around.

If I were you I would do several things. If your heart is set on completing uni, find out if your previous study could be credited to a new degree. This might cut down the new degree a little. Only your uni/course tutor could answer that. Secondly, get down to your nearest Student Union and ask for an appointment with their welfare officer. They have a lot of answers on entitlement to finance other than your course finance.
Thirdly, investigate the possibility of accessing your career of choice without a degree. Is there any other access route?

What do you want to study and where?

LolStevo

Well iv just phoned the uni n they sed I wouldn't qualify for anything. No loans no grants nothin so I'd have to pay myself which isn't really an option

I'm so gutted I messed about when in uni last time

crystaltipps

There are ways and means - don't give up hope. What career/job do you want? What course are you interested in? What was your previous study in and how long ago?

LolStevo

My dream is to be a secondary English teacher, I studied English from 2007-2009 but because I changed uni then restarted the course it was over 3 years,
I received tuition fee loan for 2 years n maintenance loans and grants for 3 years so would have thought I could get 2 years tuition loan this time but they say not x

crystaltipps

Ok - my sister started out as a classroom assistant about 6 years ago when my niece was 4. She did various NVQ and other training courses and is now a higher rate teaching assistant that also does one on one with SEN kiddies. Her school would love her to do full on teacher training and she is looking at the best way to achieve this without bankrupting herself via uni costs!

Can you contact direct (via phone or email) the course tutor you are interested in to see if you can transfer your study credits? Did you pass your second year? The admin folk are not going to know that!

Can you look into starting off slowly and doing classroom/teaching assistant courses which may even be subsidised or free due to your circumstances. This gives you a chance for employment in your area of interest and chance to review the situation in a couple of years? Experience is a good substitute for formal qualification plus if you apply for a PGCE or degree in education on the basis of being qualified to work in schools already, with valued experience, you may find the task of completing your degree much easier. I know that doesn't help with funding issues per se, but working will help you financial prospects. It may also allow you access to loans from banks such as career development loans.

Before I started study, I lived like a pauper for a year to save every penny I could as a bit of a fall back in case I needed it! I managed to sock away just under £3000 as my emergency fund. It is possible to save if you are working and honestly, if I can, anyone can.

LolStevo

Iv just phoned back and told I'd get maintenance loan for first 2 years then full support in final year which is a glimmer of hope! But I wouldn't qualify for supplementary support bein a parent as I'm not receiving tuition fee loans x