Unpaid leave to finish MSc

Mean_Green

I returned to University in Sept to Study an MSc. Until now I have been working (24hours per week) in addition to Full Time study and 2 young children who need some 'family time'. I have therefore decided to take 6 months unpaid leave to concentrate 100% on my studies.

Do I need to inform HMRC for National Insurance contributions etc?

Am I entitled to anything being a student again or is there any other advice available to me?

Voyager2002

You may find that your reduced income means that you can get more in Child Tax Credits, so be sure to inform them.

agrinnall

You don't need to tell HMRC that you are stopping NI contributions, but they may write to you in a year or two (or possibly longer) to ask if you'd like to make additional payments to bring your contributions record up to date for state pension purposes. At that point you'll need to work out whether you'll have enough years contributions by the time you retire anyway, in which case buying more is a waste of money.

nimbo

you may be able to claim back some tax in April - but also be aware that you may have child tax credits etc stopped if you no longer meet the hours worked requirements...

as far as I am aware an Msc is self funded so you probably wont be entitled to cash from SFE - but do look at the turn 2 us website - there may be some grants you can apply for...