Going to Uni for interview - travel assistance ?

dunx

Hi folks,

My step-son is planning to go to Uni from October 2008 so is in the process of visiting his choices for Open Days and interviews. The young fella has chosen some pretty distant places which will cost him (me?) a packet to get to.

Can he claim any help with the fares to and from Uni for these events ?

Thanks all,

D

dmg24

Some universities offer travel assistance, but this is up to the individual institution.

melancholly

he might be able to get something for the interviews, but i doubt there will be anything for open days. i don't remember getting any money back for either, although i only had 2 interviews in the end.....

juno

If you ask the uni nicely, they'll probably be able to help. They may also offer overnight accommodation if that would help. But if you don't ask you won't get.

dunx

Thanks for that - will have to contact the places individually. When I was going to Uni many years ago the LEA funded a return trip to each of the 5 UCAS (UCCA) choices. Ho hum.

pinkshoes

We were warned when applying to uni that train fares are expensive, so if you're applying to somewhere far away, make sure you REALLY want to go there! I got offers from all 6 universities i applied to, but decided not to visit Bristol and Warwick in the end because they were too far away, which also would make it difficult to get there/back for term and train fares eat into student loan...

I attended the open days on my own, and the universities usually send someone to meet you (and lots of others) at the rail station.

Voyager2002

See the article and thread on cheap train tickets. Getting around the country can be surprisingly affordable, IF you book in advance and are lucky on availability.

dunx

Fair comment. I've checked the prices for Edinburgh (£149 Saver return) and by booking a couple of months ahead, and of course investing in a YP Railcard, it can be done for less than £30 return. All I have to do now is get him to plan ahead . . . . . .

pixiedust_2

Could always talk to his school/college - when I was in sixth form, if there was at least 4 of us going to an open day, the school paid towards the transport, whether it was petrol for a parent/teacher/student to drive, or part of a train fare. We could have just been lucky tho!

melancholly

i suppose the other cheap travel option is national express.... i'm using them with a £1 funfare next week (although after yesterday's news, and despite having used them lots in the past, i do have reservations!)

student_advisor

If he's at College and getting a £30 EMA, then he might be able to apply to the College Learner Support Fund for help with travel costs. We pay up to £150 per student.

Not sure what's available from schools though.