Applying for childs college & financial help

girlsmum

Sorry about the confusing title, I am looking at post 16 places for my daughter, currently in Y11 GCSE year, she is not really interested in 6th form due to the fact she is more creative and does not want to have to take a min of 4 subjects in areas as she is not interested taking the others and really wants to do a college course, the nearest college campus that does the course is over an hour away.

The issue i have is i spoke to the financial services at the college and they said that if my household income is below £16190 (subject to parliamentary review) i can apply for a discretionary learner support which will cover her train pass, well my salary is below that,however the Parliamentary review is the bit that concerns me. is this level going down? i am stuck as to what to do.
my daughter has to stay on in some education until she is 18 yet i will potentially have to pay over £120 a month to get her there which i really cannot afford to do.

is the £16190 threshold doing down, (my annual salary is £15090) i have tried to read up on it, but it is confusing me further

mel48rose

Hi, don't think this will be decided until the Autumn budget at the end of this month.

girlsmum

mel48rose wrote: »

Hi, don't think this will be decided until the Autumn budget at the end of this month.

Thanks i thought that might be the case, I guess i will have to apply and hope for the best, however i do not think that any child should have to pay for transport to school/college if it is a legal requirement to attend especially when there is no nearer option.

Lanzarote1938

girlsmum wrote: »

Thanks i thought that might be the case, I guess i will have to apply and hope for the best, however i do not think that any child should have to pay for transport to school/college if it is a legal requirement to attend especially when there is no nearer option.

Isn't this the sort of cost that tax credits and child benefit should cover?

Alternatively if it is your daughter's wish to attend a particular course with attendant costs perhaps she could look for a job of some sort. Even a paper round will pay £20 a week. Never too early to start teaching youngsters the value of work and paying for what you want.

girlsmum

Lanzarote1938 wrote: »

Isn't this the sort of cost that tax credits and child benefit should cover?

Alternatively if it is your daughter's wish to attend a particular course with attendant costs perhaps she could look for a job of some sort. Even a paper round will pay £20 a week. Never too early to start teaching youngsters the value of work and paying for what you want.

particular course? well maybe she could do bricklaying or hairdressing as she can walk to that!! unfortunately the textiles course she wants to attend is 36 miles away (same college different campus) as for getting a job, as she will have to catch a train at 6:45 in the morning for the train to arrive just after 8am then she has a 25 min walk, attends a day at college then due to the ridiculous connections has a 1:45 train journey home after the 25 min walk to the station... yeah sure i will let her get up to do a round at 5am or maybe she will get home at 6pm and do it then...she might have time for food if she takes it with her...
In an ideal world the college would be 20 mins away and she could work. So what do you suggest that she takes a weekend job and completes homework when?

I was not aware that tax credits or child benefit was to pay for school transport? when it is compulsory that she attend. so those people who do not have to pay for school transport as they can walk do they get less than me then?

Lanzarote1938

girlsmum wrote: »

I was not aware that tax credits or child benefit was to pay for compulsory school transport? so those people who do not have to pay for school transport as they can walk do they get less than me then?

I was under the obviously erroneous impression that the government helped with the expense of bringing up children with tax credits and child benefit. Not that every expense should be met by someone else.

girlsmum

Lanzarote1938 wrote: »

I was under the obviously erroneous impression that the government helped with the expense of bringing up children with tax credits and child benefit. Not that every expense should be met by someone else.

i am now choosing to ignore you and not fuel your desire for a pointless argument that will not be resolved due to differing opinions and circumstances.

i asked a question and mel48rose kindly answered.

missbiggles1

girlsmum wrote: »

i am now choosing to ignore you and not fuel your desire for a pointless argument that will not be resolved due to differing opinions and circumstances.

i asked a question and mel48rose kindly answered.

But the fact is that you are able to carry on claiming child related benefits specifically because your child is remaining in education so it isn't unrealistic to expect that income to fund extra educational costs.

Feyfangirl

I would also check for hardship funds from the college; as they can offer it to students on a low income/families on low income. Also; some councils may offer a train/bus pass to your college at a reduced rate; may be worth checking? Good luck to you both! If I get any more bits of info, shall let you know

Poppie68

At 16 your daughter can get herself a weekend job to help towards her travel expenses, whatever she earns won't effect any child related benefits you receive.

densol_2

I applied for a bursary for my son for 6th form college. As its discretionary I think the college set the criteria - ours was earning under £17500 I think. He gets free meals and £70 a month plus he gets free bus pass anyway and all books etc paid for. I would just apply and hope they dont lower the figure. After all the tax credits reduction in threahold has been delayed now.