Becoming a Full-Time Student

Sub_Zero_2

Hi All

I am 32 and live my with my partner and our 2 children and I am considering going into full-time education to do a degree. I would like to find out what support I would be entitled to as our joint income would be minimal, but the online checkers say that they are not accurate if you are a full-time student.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks

Caz3121

You should look at student finance, grants and loans etc
Once you know what you will get from their you would be able to see if you would be entitled to housing benefit etc (they take most of the student income into account)
Child tax credits, child benefit, possibly working tax credits depending on the hours your partner works and their income.
If you need help with childcare costs you should look to the uni to see what help they have as tax credits would only help if both parents were working 16 hours per week+

Sub_Zero_2

Thanks Caz, just to clarify, my partner has her own business working 16+ hours but is currently loss making, whilst I would continue to work 16+ hours but would probably be able to take around £400 p/m from the business.

I believe that my tuition fees should be covered with student finance and I may be eligible for a parent learning allowance (circa £1,500 per year) to help with travel and materials.

Our youngest is just starting school in September so both kids will be at school now if that makes any difference.

DomRavioli

What course are you planning on doing?

Indie_Kid

Student finance can also help with child are costs, which I believe are a bit more generous than tax credits.

cabbage

You could also get a maintenance loan, mine is around £5000 pa. My tuition fees are paid via a student loan. I don't qualify for a maintenance grant due to household income.
Each Uni has a student finance section, why not speak to them.

there is also a calculator on Student Finance England so you could estimate your grants/loans.

CAB is a good place to have a benefit check. They could look at your situation now and do a what if calculation based on you going back into advanced education.