Mature student funding help?

definity

Hi, let me give you a bit of my background; I'm a mature student 26, from London going to Aberystwth staying 1st year in hall's and kinda bricking it a bit since it the first time away from home (Which is kinda sad for a 26 year old, I know). The whole finance thing has got me scared about running out of cash and being away from home. My mum (who I was closest to) died a couple of months ago and my dad (who spends all his money on cigerettes and alcahol) is a pretty poor pentioner and certainly will not be able to support me if I got a little bit over, so if I run out of money I am screwed, to put it politely.

So far I have signed up for a student loan and I am also getting some bursaries and grants from the Uni but what else is their to help me? I know of these:

NSP (National Scholarship Program)
SLC (Student Loan Company)

But that is about it, I know you can get private funding depending on what you are studying, also about charities, trusts and grants that can help you, but I'm not sure how about getting that, any ideas?

Dunroamin

As an independent student, you'll be eligible for the full funding package as you mention so you're unlikely to get any extra help. With the combination of loan/grant/bursary you should be able to manage very well, particularly as Aber isn't an expensive place to study. With a bit of luck you'll also be able to get a part time job if you feel the need of any extra help. Fortunately, as a mature student, you should also have many budgeting skills that 18 year olds often lack.

You'll be fine.

ETA

The NSP is available at English universities only, I'm afraid.

Cowgirl13

Do you start in September? I would spend from now until then working full time and trying to save as much money as possible. When I went to Uni I also had to pay everything myself so a job before and during uni was essential.

definity

Yeah I do start in September, TBH I Doubt i can get a job now I have been trying for 2 year getting sick of it hence why I'm going to Uni, If the JobCenter try to put me on one more of these 'How to write a CV' or 'How to search for job's properly' courses where I end up teaching the teachers on how to search for jobs properly I will loose it. I got a student loan and a few bursaries/grants. I am just worried that I might have to put my studies on hold and come back to live at home which I absolutely loath.

Erinnire

You won't, you will be able to manage. There should be jobs advertised at the university you can apply for and although competitive jobs should come up in the uni town. There is funds at the uni you can apply for if you do struggle, I think every uni has an access to learning fund (though don't hold me to it as I'm not 100%sure)

Jarbuhu

A job will probably be one of the best things you can do. I'd work through the summer and save, but you might also want to looking into something part time to help you with cost while you're studying.

Voyager2002

You'll be fine, really.

Most students have part-time jobs, and most student unions have an office giving details of such opportunities. So long as you are willing to spend the odd evening behind a bar or waiting in a restaurant (or some Saturdays being a shop assistant), you will have more than you need.

englishrose19

Sorry but please work on your spelling and grammar before you start otherwise you won't do well at uni!

Angelicdevil

Bit rich englishrose, given your unstructured sentence above and you don't seem to know the difference between "cheque" and "check", amongst other things.......

lynsey85

you could draw up a budget.
I have a spreadsheet (google do one online, google sheets it's called.) where in one column i have the date, in chronological order. the next column i have what the thing is (ie direct debit for water bill [listed just as "water"] or if it's incoming, like tax credits) then the 3rd column i have the amount, it it's a debit i put it as a minus then in the 4th column i have the running balance. you would need to know all of what your incomings and outgoings would be, and when they would be due into your account. then you just adjust stuff here and there, if you're not going to be able to pay something (bearing in mind that i think for student halls gas/electricity are included with the cost and that you don't pay council tax afaik) and you can edit/adjust your food budget, weeks you look like you should have more money you can be a little more extravagant with meals for example, then use any spare money for going out etc.
I can pm you the link to mine if you want to see exactly how i mean, but please don't share it anywhere, i don't really want all and sundry seeing my finances. i don't mind a couple of mse-ers seeing it if it's going to help them budget though.
Bear in mind that grants/loans awarded to you at the beginning of the year might look like a lot when they all roll into your account, but that it has to last you the full semester/year depending on how often they're paid, and if you're really stuck for money one week, ask someone for help, a friend, the university themselves, or you could try your dad or anyone else who may be able to help a little, but avoid the payday loan things like the plague! tbh i think with budgeting you should be able to manage fine.
hth, and sorry if it's a bit long

englishrose19

Angelicdevil wrote: »

Bit rich englishrose, given your unstructured sentence above and you don't seem to know the difference between "cheque" and "check", amongst other things.......

The difference is that I've already got my degree so I don't need to worry.

Cheque/ check must have been a typo as I used cheque instead of check not the other way round plus I'm not an idiot.