Hello

[Deleted User]

I'm new to this forum. I've been posting on a few others but this is my 1st time on this one.. Can anyone help?
I'm doin an access course with the intention of going to uni next Sept ( finger crossed) to do Social work. I'm a single mother with 2 children and will have to come off benefits when I start uni. My question/ problem is about grants loans fees.. I'm absolutly terrrified that financially I won't be able to afford to fnish a degree. My private rent alone is £475. I constantly hear of students gettin into more and more debt, and thats jus the 18yr olds trying to live, if they can't manage it jus looking after themselves how will I surivie and my kids so they don't go without???
I understand that in the long term we will be better off if I have a degree ( beter job/more money) but in the meantime will I be able to pay my rent pay my bills and feed my kids??
I'm sorry for the rant and if I sound a tad dramatic ( I have tendencies towards drama hehe) but can anyone advise reassure me that all will be ok!!
Many thanks...
S

scottishlass

Hi

Try not to panic too much - when you say next September do you mean 07 or 08?

I think your best bet is to talk to the University which you are planning on going to - I'm not sure how the new rules apply to mature students but they should be able to advise you what grants are available.

Also it might be worth finding out how many hours you would have to do a week as you might be able to fit a part time job around it as well as spending time with your kids etc. I suppose you also need to decide whether you do the course full time or part time.

Definately the only way to decide is to speak to you local University of LEA (I think thats right basically the people in charge of the funding etc)

HTH

student_advisor

Sallylizzie

The student finance system has been designed so that anyone coming off benefits will actually be better off overall with the finance than they were on benefits.

You will probably be eligible for all of the following elements of student finance (07/08 figures used):

1. Tuition fee loan of up to £3070/covers your fees in full
2. Special Support Grant of £2765
3. Maintenance Loan of £4510
4. Parent's Learning Allowance of £1435
5. Childcare Grant of 85% of costs
6. Social Work Bursary up to £4575 (London rate is higher) the amount you get depends on your fees

You will also keep child tax credits, child benefit and maybe some housing benefit. You will not qualify for income support except for during the long summer break. When calculating housing benefit, your council cannot take the tuition fee loan, special support grant, parent's learning allowance or childcare grant into account as income.

Hope this helps.

[Deleted User]

I did press the thank you button to thank you both but I've heard they were not working.. not sure if its true so I'm posting a thank you to you both!!!!!
I plan on goin in 08.. As for panic.. unfortunatly thats my middle name and something I can't not do (hehehe)
I don't think I'd be able to get a job because I have NO childcare Grandparents aunties etc so eve or w.end work is out. I'd only be able to work during school hours term time. Which is why I need to go to uni, cos if I just took a normal mim wage job I'd still only be able to work term time and will never have any money... at least with a degree I'll be able to pay for child care among a lot more things I can't afford atm. I ultimalty want to help young offenders so going to uni will be a step in the right direction.
If I plan to go to uni in 08 is it best to talk to the ppl at the uni when the new term starts.. I guess they'll have thier hands full!!!
But again thanks for the advice I fell a lot more re assured!!!
S.

influence

There are in fact alot of jobs available in student unions and the university premises. So part time job is not unusual in unversity. I am no mature student but I believe there are certain grants for them (varying according to university).

I acutally support the part-time option due to your other commitments. Have you look at some schemes like pay-as-you-earn where employers pay you to take a degree or some sort? It might be a way to go and keep your financials in good position.

[Deleted User]

I never really thought about part time.. to be honest I have been offered some volunteer work, working with young offenders in Sept, with the hope of training that way, but I think to work and study that way will take such a long time.. I'm 31 now and I want to get a degree so I can start using my brain doin a job that interests me plus start being able to afford the things I want.. so i'd like to qualify as soon as I can.. If I did it part time wouldn't it take more years????????

influence

You can actually argue the case in two ways. Yes, you can take a full time course for a shorter time but part time course of your interest can also be good for you. IN this case, you can work to gain not just money but also experience. Part time courses are generally doing it on the weekends or evenings (of some days). Making you having more free time for your other commitments.

Of course the final choice is up to you but I have seen people succeed in both cases. That's the reason i spoke about the pay-as you earn scheme that some employer (big companies might offer). I think that's a very good scheme to do what you like with a sponsor and further having a career of your liking at your current age.

Good Luck in any case.

[Deleted User]

I think I'll not be able to do part time because doin uni work at on the weekends or eve jus won't work for me.. Due to the kids.. I never have anyone to leave em with so I couldn't study during the day. and I don't fancy opening the books in the eve during the week if I've worked all day...
I'm sure it works well for a lot of ppl and it something worth considering, but not for me. If I had a partner or someone who had the children on a regular basis it would be something I would seriously think about.
Thanks for the advice tho. I feel alot more chilled about going to uni and managing.. tho I'm sure I'll have a few wobbles.
I told my tutor I wasn't coming back to my access course this Sept. due to my worries about how going to uni would affect my family I decided it wasn't for me, I've regretted it all summer and jus hope when I go pleading in Sept there will still be a place for me.. Fingers crossed. Here's to uni Sept 2008!!!!!