Paying for children at university

missbiggles1

silvercar wrote: »

Nothing against Manchester (and both mine went to uni there) but the opportunities to broaden your experience must be greater in London. Theatres, talks etc are in far more abundance in London. Say you wanted to use your English degree for a career in journalism, the choice of publications to gain work experience is far greater in London.

Theatres (and a lot of other experiences) cost money which you won't have if you're spending it all in rent.

I worked in London in my early 20s and was a student in Manchester for a year a bit later. I went to far more theatre, music etc in Manchester because I could afford to do so - it's miserable living on a tight budget in London, whether as a worker or as a student.

missbiggles1

Andypandyboy wrote: »

Then you are disadvantaging your children within the system that is in place, which isn't their fault. The whole premise of the student loan system is based on parental contribution according to household income, I abhor it, but that is the way it is.

I think that if it has to be on parental income it should be just that, not based on the household where the young dult lives but on the income of both parents regarless of where they reside.

In an ideal world I'd agree but, given the number of NRPs on good money who avoid paying child maintenance even for dependant children, unfortunately I think it'd be unworkable.

Jagraf

onlyroz wrote: »

The assumption from the government is that parents who can afford to *will* contribute. The available student loan for the children of "well off" parents isn't usually enough to pay accommodation costs.

Unfortunately as we all know parents very often are not well off at all. We will get minimum support. Whereas we will contribute, we wouldnt be able to pay more wherever they go. So it does come down to the student making choices based in part on finances, which could be saving pocket money /getting a part time job etc.

My neice has chosen to work and study at night school for her accountancy qualifications based partly on finances.

Jagraf

missbiggles1 wrote: »

In an ideal world I'd agree but, given the number of NRPs on good money who avoid paying child maintenance even for dependant children, unfortunately I think it'd be unworkable.

My daughters bio dad will not contribute, it will be down to me and her stepdad. Its nuts 😕

missbiggles1

Jagraf wrote: »

My daughters bio dad will not contribute, it will be down to me and her stepdad. Its nuts 😕

I think assessing on household income is the best option (given the way the system works) even if not perfect.

pigpen

Jagraf wrote: »

Unfortunately as we all know parents very often are not well off at all. We will get minimum support. Whereas we will contribute, we wouldnt be able to pay more wherever they go. So it does come down to the student making choices based in part on finances, which could be saving pocket money /getting a part time job etc.

My neice has chosen to work and study at night school for her accountancy qualifications based partly on finances.

exactly what I expect of mine.. to work hard to get their qualifications if that is what they decide they want.. they are supposed to be adults by the time they start university so are treated as such.

The option is there, they are not 'disadvantaged' they can go, but I will not fund it any more than I would pay for a house deposit (I have paid bond money on a rented accommodation for one) or a wedding.. it is their choice not compulsory and a degree does not guarantee work in the future or an increased wage.

pigpen

Andypandyboy wrote: »

Then you are disadvantaging your children within the system that is in place, which isn't their fault. The whole premise of the student loan system is based on parental contribution according to household income, I abhor it, but that is the way it is.

I think that if it has to be on parental income it should be just that, not based on the household where the young dult lives but on the income of both parents regarless of where they reside.

rubbish.. the minority go to university, it isn't compulsory and it is possible to study part time while working full time or work part time and study full time.. if they want it they will work for it. This attitude of entitlement is abhorrent and they need to realise not everything is handed out on a silver platter. Yes the system sucks but so does being a grown up and having financial responsibility for yourself. and the sooner they learn the better. I bet 90% of parents would be disgusted if they saw what their precious little students do with their money.. weed, alcohol leading to smashing up cars, upturning bins, clogging up A&E... of course that isn't all, but a chunk do because they have been so molly-coddled they think is normal once they are away from mummy and daddy. One girl on my daughters course left because our A&E refused to deal with her when she went saying she missed her mummy!! She thought she would get a psyche referral!

My partner finished uni in 2003 and has never had a job related to his qualification.. and he is absolutely not the only one I know of.. in many cases it is a waste of time.. He is disadvantaged now because he cannot get funding to do study in an area where he might actually stand a chance of finding work because he has a crappy degree not worth the paper it is written on!

missbiggles1

pigpen wrote: »

exactly what I expect of mine.. to work hard to get their qualifications if that is what they decide they want.. they are supposed to be adults by the time they start university so are treated as such.

The option is there, they are not 'disadvantaged' they can go, but I will not fund it any more than I would pay for a house deposit (I have paid bond money on a rented accommodation for one) or a wedding.. it is their choice not compulsory and a degree does not guarantee work in the future or an increased wage.

Unless you charge a realistic amount for board if one of them's studying at the local university (which most parents don't) then you are subsidising them in exactly the same way as if you forked out £20/30 pw for them to study at a distance.

The only difference is that they would be able to make their career plans on the same basis as most other students are able to.

silvercar

Yes the system sucks but so does being a grown up and having financial responsibility for yourself. and the sooner they learn the better.

Most people accept that our offspring don't turn into adults on their 18th birthday. Providing some continued support while they finish their education has become the norm. If you don't wish to do so puts them at a disadvantage in terms of the opportunities available to them.

A relevant degree from a decent university may not guarantee success in the future, but I would like my offspring to start off their career with the best chances of succeeding.

Work can be a struggle, but I would prefer they make their way with the right qualifications than without.

pigpen

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Unless you charge a realistic amount for board if one of them's studying at the local university (which most parents don't) then you are subsidising them in exactly the same way as if you forked out £20/30 pw for them to study at a distance.

The only difference is that they would be able to make their career plans on the same basis as most other students are able to.

She is a grown up.. she doesn't live at home. I look after her son one afternoon a week.. but I'm home with my 2 anyway so it makes no difference to me.. I guess in that case I subsidise her by feeding him one meal a week.

silvercar wrote: »

Most people accept that our offspring don't turn into adults on their 18th birthday. Providing some continued support while they finish their education has become the norm. If you don't wish to do so puts them at a disadvantage in terms of the opportunities available to them.

A relevant degree from a decent university may not guarantee success in the future, but I would like my offspring to start off their career with the best chances of succeeding.

Work can be a struggle, but I would prefer they make their way with the right qualifications than without.

Only in households where the finances allow.. mine don't and even if they did I would absolutely not fund a social life.. if they needed food I'd give food, if they needed shoes I'd provide those.

A degree from any university is a waste of time and paper if they cannot find work.. but if they want it they will work for it!

My friends OH studied Spanish Poetry.. fabulously useful in the real world, not!.. he has worked while studying to get a law qualification because he grew up and realised he had wasted several years! My OH with his useless degree (computer and electrical engineering) is studying joinery.. He has higher level qualifications than the tutors!!