Work university and tax credits

poppyscorner

Hi All,

Currently work in NHS two (12.5hr) days a week and I would like to consider doing a degree in social care to become a social worker.
I currently claim tax credits though no childcare element as MIL has children as well as other family members helping out.

So if I went to uni I would go part time to allow me to continue my job as we need the money would we qualify for help with childcare costs while I was at uni or am I excluded because it isnt actually a job.

Thanks if anyone can help
Poppy x

TheWaltons_3

I wondered this myself, but seeing as the intake is September, I think I may have missed the boat!

I do know you will get the Grants and perhaps if that is counted as Income... you would be able to?!

jasper12

entered in error

[Deleted User]

I can't offer advice but in a similar situation and was hoping to get adivce too.
I'm in the final year of an access course to go to uni Sept 2008. I'm a single parent on benefits and live in a private rented house. I intend to do social work and I know they give a bursery of £3000 ( that doesn't have to be paid back) to either cover personal costs or tuition fees!!!! I can't work whilst goin to uni as I have absolutly no childcare.. (grandparents, aunties etc) I'm already terrified about how I will manage financially ( my rent alone is £475) I have no idea what I will be gettin financially when I start uin but I worry that students can't cope as it is, how the hell will I cope with 2 children!!!!
Goin to uni and gettin a degree is the only way I can see me getting out of the " poverty trap" I consider me and my children in.. As it is I can't even get a min wage job as due to childcare issues it would end up costing me more to work ( a trap I hate!!) I lose out in my benefits... ANYWAY!!!!!!
Anyone who could advise I would be grateful to, and if it helps next Sept both my children will be in full time school so I don't have to worry bout much childcare..

poppyscorner

jasper12 wrote: »

If you could up your hours to 16 per week you would qualify for wtc and help with your childcare costs. However, you would need to work the 16hrs, not 12.5.

Thanks for the reply jasper sorry I havent made it clear I do work 25hrs a week two 12.5hr days. I didnt know whether tax credits would accept time in uni as work aswell and as I only actually work two days as an employee I cannot claim for anymore than two days childcare if they only take paid employment into account hope thats a bit clearer Thanks again

poppyscorner

Sallylizzie wrote: »

I can't offer advice but in a similar situation and was hoping to get adivce too.
I'm in the final year of an access course to go to uni Sept 2008. I'm a single parent on benefits and live in a private rented house. I intend to do social work and I know they give a bursery of £3000 ( that doesn't have to be paid back) to either cover personal costs or tuition fees!!!! I can't work whilst goin to uni as I have absolutly no childcare.. (grandparents, aunties etc) I'm already terrified about how I will manage financially ( my rent alone is £475) I have no idea what I will be gettin financially when I start uin but I worry that students can't cope as it is, how the hell will I cope with 2 children!!!!
Goin to uni and gettin a degree is the only way I can see me getting out of the " poverty trap" I consider me and my children in.. As it is I can't even get a min wage job as due to childcare issues it would end up costing me more to work ( a trap I hate!!) I lose out in my benefits... ANYWAY!!!!!!
Anyone who could advise I would be grateful to, and if it helps next Sept both my children will be in full time school so I don't have to worry bout much childcare..

I feel exactly like that I want to make something of myself and have relevant experience I think I might be stuck the way I am till kids are grown up a bit seems to be a bit short of advice here for this situation mustnt be many student mothers on tax creds Good luck with your plans

Poppy x

elisebutt65

There is a childcare grant that pays for up to 85% of your child care PROVIDING that you DON'T claim the childcare element of WTC or if you only claim CTC.

I'm a single mum as well and just finished my degree - about to start my PGCE.

What I get is a loan for fees - 3070 - paid to college direct.
a loan for living - 3438
Maintenance Grant - 2765
Parents Learning Allowance Grant - 1435
+ 85% of my childcare back paid with loan 3 times per year - Just waiting for this one to be worked out now
Child Tax Credit - £68/week

When I'm at college - i.e - in term time I qualify for about 25/wk housing benefit as well -They count the loan as income - even though it's a loan - and do not count the grants.

Because you're working over 16 hours a week you should be able to claim childcare costs - doesn't matter what you do with the rest of you r time - whether it be Uni or sitting on bum - LOL (Like a mother ever gets to do that - hahahahaha)

Just wondering whether my teaching bursary this year counts as income for HB purposes as well now.

elisebutt65

poppyscorner wrote: »

I feel exactly like that I want to make something of myself and have relevant experience I think I might be stuck the way I am till kids are grown up a bit seems to be a bit short of advice here for this situation mustnt be many student mothers on tax creds Good luck with your plans

Poppy x

Yeah - definitely go for it - I have had a wonderful 4 years - came out of it with a First - Yay me!!!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:And am going on to do a PGCE so I can teach in Further Education to pass on the knowledge - LOL