Partner going back to uni

Topher

Sorry, its a bit detailed.
My partner is planning to go to university next term. He is 39 years old and has been claiming Disability Living allowance and Incapacity Benefit for 13 years. I've just finished paying back my student loan (Mature student, single parent etc. now a teacher) and have my daughter's student loan to consider although she's left home and I may leave it to her. My partner has been told he can continue to claim the Incapacity Benefit, but the D.L.A. as always, is up for regular review.
The course he wants to go on is full time.
He is convinced that he either has to take out a student loan (which of course would become our debt), or I will have to pay his fees and living costs. (As well as transport and materials & books for his course. )
Does anyone have any relevant experience in what exactly we should apply for, what may be our entitlement re: fees, loans etc. and what we do and don't qualify for?
His disability is classed as low level, so he won't need additional support materials.
I have a mortgage to pay off, and have just a week ago paid to have his name added to the mortgage.

When I titled this back to uni, He went for one year when he was 18, but didn't finish that first year.
Topher

Oldernotwiser

He will definitely have to pay fees of £3,000 per year, either direct ly or by taking out a loan for them. However, this will not be a joint debt and will only be repaid when HIS salary goes over £15,000. This is also true of the maintenance loan. I find this site the most useful for information on student funding.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Check out this website, it's dedicated to disability. The email service is ace, you can ask any question relating to your circumstance and they will answer as best they can. http://www.skill.org.uk/

Also, your partner needs to make an appointment with a disability advisor at the Uni. They will offer advice ect and they are usually very helpful. All confidential too.

Good luck.

Savvy_Sue

Topher wrote: »

and have my daughter's student loan to consider although she's left home and I may leave it to her.

And whyever would you NOT leave it to her? Especially when you've only just paid your own off: did she help with that? OK I know I'm sounding harsh here, but she's an adult, she's left home, surely it's down to her to ask for help if she needs it, and for you THEN to consider what's possible / reasonable.

Topher wrote: »

He is convinced that he either has to take out a student loan (which of course would become our debt), or I will have to pay his fees and living costs. (As well as transport and materials & books for his course. )

If your partner takes out a student loan, it's not a joint debt, and it doesn't affect your credit score AFAIK (unless you manage to default on it). Yes, the interest starts to accrue from the day you take it out, but unless you have a lot of spare ready money waiting to be spent in this way, it's the cheapest loan you're ever likely to get!

Your partner probably need first of all to check that he can get the loan for the duration of his course, given that he has already done part of a year at Uni - I don't know what the rules are for this. And he needs to do that NOW because I believe the date for loan applications has passed. That doesn't mean he can't apply, it just means his loan may not come through until after the start of term.

And yes, the university should be able to advise on whether there would be additional financial support for your partner.

But it almost seems there's an undercurrent in your questions that your partner has decided to do something which has major financial implications you're not necessarily 100% happy with. This is probably not the place for that kind of discussion, but if I'm right, then you and he need to discuss that, and agree what you are happy with. If his sole income was IB and DLA, then you may find you're better off with the loan, even if he loses the DLA - I don't know how the rates compare these days!

Noctu

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

And whyever would you NOT leave it to her? Especially when you've only just paid your own off: did she help with that? OK I know I'm sounding harsh here, but she's an adult, she's left home, surely it's down to her to ask for help if she needs it, and for you THEN to consider what's possible / reasonable.

Completely agree - I don't want to sound harsh either, but I'm about to go into my third year of uni, and would never even consider, or expect, my mum to pay my student loan off. Some of the parents of my friends even pay their accommodation too - it's ridiculous!

Topher

Thanks for the advice.
Don't get me wrong, my daughter has never had any other idea than that she was going to go alone on this one. Its just that I have some savings, and that element entered my own debate about how best to use them. I've never mentioned this to her.
She's also done particularly well with her own finances, so the idea of supporting her was almost a reward for what she has achieved. Other than the student loan, she has no debt whatsoever, and kept her student living costs within the rather meagre loan that was allowed. My only contribution in those days, was a student railcard for her birthday each year.
I do consider that over the years she has contributed to our existence, not telling me about school trips so that I wouldn't divert the money to her pursuits springs to mind. Living in second hand clothes, and not asking for anything, and being grateful for what she got.... none of which I regret or even feel guilty about, as I believe I set her up well for responsible adult life, but does that make the reward idea a little less hazy?
The idea for HIM to go back to university was actually mine, as I think he's always felt that he missed out on something. Ill health caused him to give up the course, and that was 20 years ago. But you're right, I have some resentments, more in the category of me thinking he's not doing enough research into the financial situation, and finding out if there are any ways around or through it. When I became a mature student, I was a single parent of two children, and sheer fear made sure I was watertight on finances, as the occasional delay or lapse in a part of my income spelled potential disaster. So watching him treating it fairly casually (in my opinion) grates somewhat.

Thanks again, any more advice welcome.
Topher

pinkshoes

I would think about the financial impact very seriously, as your OH going back to uni is going to be a HUGE financial strain on your life for the next few years!! Has he worked out how this course is going to help him in his future life? i.e. will having the qualification allow him to get a job he's always wanted, or a high/well paid job? What's he going to do when he's finished?

If he's just doing it because he feels like he'll have missed out otherwise, then i'd only recommend it if you're well off and won't incur any debt by him going to uni. Uni isn't for everyone, and the degree is devalued nowadays because every man and his dog seems to be getting one!! Make sure he's chosen his course very carefully, and knows exactly why he wants to do it!!

Oldernotwiser

But if you'd been married at the time, with a partner earning a reasonable salary, perhaps your plans wouldn't have been so watertight as they wouldn't need to have been. That's the situation your partner is in now. After all, if he's been living on IB and DLA for the last 13 years, I doubt if he'll be any worst off and probably better.

Oldernotwiser

pinkshoes wrote: »

I would think about the financial impact very seriously, as your OH going back to uni is going to be a HUGE financial strain on your life for the next few years!! Has he worked out how this course is going to help him in his future life? i.e. will having the qualification allow him to get a job he's always wanted, or a high/well paid job? What's he going to do when he's finished?

If he's just doing it because he feels like he'll have missed out otherwise, then i'd only recommend it if you're well off and won't incur any debt by him going to uni. Uni isn't for everyone, and the degree is devalued nowadays because every man and his dog seems to be getting one!! Make sure he's chosen his course very carefully, and knows exactly why he wants to do it!!

Sorry, I completely disagree with you. It's hardly the OP's place to choose a course for him and why should it be a financial strain on her? He's been living on IB and DLA and has been told he can continue to do so whilst at university. I hope the OP's partner's considered some of your questions but he can't be in any worst position than he is now and who knows what doors may open to him.
If he wants to go and she wants him to be happy then that should be enough!

Savvy_Sue

It's all making a lot more sense now, but I do think you should be encouraging your partner to find out what he can for himself, so that together you can talk about how to manage. He may be a bit daunted at the prospect, but finding out about the money has got to be a good start for actual study!

Topher

I really appreciate having had this "conversation". Thanks to you all.
Topher