Student needing some help!

Lou76

Dunroamin wrote: »

£50 a week for catered halls of residence - that must've been a long time ago!

I paid £55pw, in a crummy Halls in Dundee - that crummy, it was bulldozed a few years later. :eek:

Meals [that's laughable] consisted of cereal in the morning and, what could only pass as slops, for dinner.

That was 1994.

If anyone doubts me, look up Mayfield Halls Dundee - I'm sure there'll be similiar stories to be found.

Jobseeeker

nannytone wrote: »

the OP said that was the amount that would be lost, not that was how much he was expected to pay.

actually that is what he said in the original post, he needs to find a way to make up the £300 that was lost. I know you can't see it very well.

I really don't feel that he will be able to do that with no loan and no guarantee of a part time job thats why i suggested skipping level 3. Not being pious, just realistic

Dunroamin

nannytone wrote: »

stop being so pious.

you dont know the background of the family.
they may have all been working and receiving no benefits at all 6 months ago

things happen that are beyond our control.
they are obviously raising their family well as the sons main consideration is contributing the the family rather than asking what benefits he may be entitled to

I rather assumed he was posting to find out what benefits he/they might be able to claim, otherwise, why post on the Benefits Board?

Prinzessilein

OP....have you talked to your student-counsellor?

There should be someone based at your college whose job it is to help people in exactly your position. (Job title may vary - Student Counsellor...Student Welfare Officer....)

They will be able to help you assess exactly needs to be done to keep you in the course. They may be able to help you access a hardship fund from the college to help out short-term, and will know of any bursaries/other financial help available. They may also be able to help you find part-time work - even if only by providing a reference for you.

Your best option seems to be staying at college to get your Level 3 (full time work opportunities are markedly better with a Level 3 than a Level 2). You seem to be focussed and have a realistic goal. Good Luck!

princessdon

Prinzessilein wrote: »

OP....have you talked to your student-counsellor?

There should be someone based at your college whose job it is to help people in exactly your position. (Job title may vary - Student Counsellor...Student Welfare Officer....)

They will be able to help you assess exactly needs to be done to keep you in the course. They may be able to help you access a hardship fund from the college to help out short-term, and will know of any bursaries/other financial help available. They may also be able to help you find part-time work - even if only by providing a reference for you.

Your best option seems to be staying at college to get your Level 3 (full time work opportunities are markedly better with a Level 3 than a Level 2). You seem to be focussed and have a realistic goal. Good Luck!

It's unlikely they can help financially as he says his father is a postman. Average postman wage would exceed the colleges definition of low income (they use the same amount as free school meals).

Many students have part time jobs to support them through college.

StormyWeather_2

I don't know anything about bricklaying, do you have to study and pass written exams as well as do the practical side?

princessdon

nannytone wrote: »

stop being so pious.

you dont know the background of the family.
they may have all been working and receiving no benefits at all 6 months ago

things happen that are beyond our control.
they are obviously raising their family well as the sons main consideration is contributing the the family rather than asking what benefits he may be entitled to

It's hardly pious it's a direct reflection on society and the way the benefit system has evolved. 15 years ago when I was at college, we all worked as students. Our parents scrimped and saved to send us, we walked as no bus passes.

Now tax credits pay more than apprenticeships, low income families get help at college financially, eg bus pass and bursary (bursary are extra to tax credits and quite high). Then they become an adult and its a shock when their benefits drop.

OP is 20 so at least 3/4 years at college, yet doesn't appear to have looked for a job before now. Those teenagers whose parents don't get financial help are searching for a job from day 1.

Benzh

princessdon wrote: »

It's hardly pious it's a direct reflection on society and the way the benefit system has evolved. 15 years ago when I was at college, we all worked as students. Our parents scrimped and saved to send us, we walked as no bus passes.

Now tax credits pay more than apprenticeships, low income families get help at college financially, eg bus pass and bursary (bursary are extra to tax credits and quite high). Then they become an adult and its a shock when their benefits drop.

OP is 20 so at least 3/4 years at college, yet doesn't appear to have looked for a job before now. Those teenagers whose parents don't get financial help are searching for a job from day 1.

Can assure you i have been looking for a job since i came out of School, even had a few but their only temp jobs. No one is shocked about the benefits stopping, we knew it was coming just trying to find out if there is anything available presuming i don't get a job within the time i still have available so it's just a case of checking before hand.

Hopsital tomorrow, get put on my new medication hopefully all goes well, give the brickie a ring and get a job.

Well the help was appreciated, found out what i needed to know.

Ben

sunnyone

Do you have any skills you could turn into a small business?

My son is at college (he is 17 shortly and he has been earning money since he was 11), he has several health conditions and he has two little buisnesses to provide him with pocket money (and he earns about what you need per months though last weekend he made well over £500)

princessdon

Benzh wrote: »

Can assure you i have been looking for a job since i came out of School, even had a few but their only temp jobs. No one is shocked about the benefits stopping, we knew it was coming just trying to find out if there is anything available presuming i don't get a job within the time i still have available so it's just a case of checking before hand.

Hopsital tomorrow, get put on my new medication hopefully all goes well, give the brickie a ring and get a job.

Well the help was appreciated, found out what i needed to know.

Ben

Sorry it wasn't directly aimed at you I was replying to another poster regarding the situation of many. I work with this age group and you have no idea how many just don't plan for this day.

If there is a gap between tax credits and starting your course you can claim JSA.