student living expenses

KPG_2

Sorry, I have not had the chance to reply. I've been VERY busy getting my daughter off to uni. She's there now and hopefully settling in. In answer to your question..... She gets enough 'loan' to cover all her tuition fees. However as 'the bank of mum and dad' earns more than the 'low income' threshold she does not qualify for any other grants etc.

giggles_88

£70 a week is more than enough. I lived on £26 a week during the first two terms in my first year at uni. Im now moving into a house for my second year and have worked out that i will have £52 a week after paying rent but not bills.

Parisien

KPG wrote: »

She gets enough 'loan' to cover all her tuition fees. However as 'the bank of mum and dad' earns more than the 'low income' threshold she does not qualify for any other grants etc.

Yes, but aren't there two types of loan...one only for fees paid directly to the uni, a second which is called a maintenance loan paid to the student; the latter you can ask for a non-means tested assessment, which can run up to a number of thousands depending on where shes going, this is what we did, and its been awarded to our son.

KPG_2

You are quite right, there is also a maintainance loan. She was awarded a little, only amounting to a couple of hundred pounds. Better than nothing I guess and certainly worth every student applying for. What I can't understand is why one of my daughters friends has been awarded the full maintainance grant when he is living at home while at uni and he has extra income from a little job. My daughter has gone to a uni in wales (We live in England). Does this make a difference I wonder?

duchy

£70 a week is a lot. Are you paying this much so she doesn't need to get part time work or is she likely to do this on top....or if she does will the £70 reduce ?
One tip I came across the other day for those worried that their off to uni kids will starve was from a friend who when her kids run short and need food money.....instead of sending them money (and wondering if it WILL go on food) does a Tesco online shop for them. Fab idea as you KNOW what they will be eating and a good way to send a "top-up" and of course you can include cleaning products, treats etc in with it too if you want.
Bit late for this year but a good way to start a student off with basics at the begining of the year (or term) without having to lug them to uni with them.

bob_a_builder

You are quite right, there is also a maintainance loan. She was awarded a little, only amounting to a couple of hundred pounds.

Thats not quite right surely, Like you, I applied for the non means tested "Maintenance Loan" for my son and that was £3385 (in addition to Tuition loan). I thought everyone was entilitled to that, means testing would give more on top of that basic

She was awarded a little

Thats sounds more like a grant/bursary

Parisien

Yes, our son was allowed £4700 as hes based in Londoan via the non means tested method...from whom did you seek advice?

*Pixie*_3

I was under the impression that all students were awarded the minimum maintenance loan regardless of parental income. This can be awarded even in cases where parents refuse to divulge details of income. So the OP's daughter should have this as well as tuition fees. She should have an award letter detailing exactly what she has been given as a loan and the amount of any parental contribution from which you can work out a reasonable weekly amount.

£70 a week seems fairly generous for living expenses.

KPG_2

ok. Here's an update. I 'thought' that My daughter was only being awarded a 'tuition fee loan' plus a couple of hundred. However her loan agreement came today and, as a previous contributer to this thread has mentioned, she has been awarded both the 'tuition fee loan' AND the basic 'maintainance loan'. Could things be more complicated!! It's no wonder that some kids get themselves in a twist over finances. Next step.....To encourage my daughter to 'budget'! Thanks to everybody in this forum for very useful informaton.

the_gorgeous_one

I was also under the impression my son was only entitled to his tuition fees so we are trying to sell our campervan to pay for his accomodation. We received a letter from the student loan company yesterday which stated he is entitled to the maintenance grant and tuiion fees. What a relief so we have decided to give him £50.00 a week and he is due to get a job so we felt that would be more than enough to survive off but he is now in a state of panic as he thinks the maintenance loan is for him to live off for the year. I have found the threads on this site so useful and feel happy that he will learn about budgeting in his first year.