Any extra financial help out there for students at all

Tetsuko

Is there any extra funding that students can get to help them through uni so they are not forced to work instead of study and risk failing their degree?

I've just had to pay the majority of my loan out on tuition fees and have next to nothing left. I asked about applying for a hardship loan and I have the form to fill in but the uni office said that they don't take into account the fact I've had to pay my tuition fees out of my only income into account. I'm not in any special minority that might warrant special treatment so it's all looking a bit grim

dmg24

The hardship fund (also known as the Access to Learning Fund - there is a big thread on the topic that may help you) is the only source I can think of in your situation.

What year are you in? Unless you are in your final year, you should be able to manage a part time job as well as your studies.

You say you are not in 'any special minority' - does that mean you are not disabled/ married/ a parent/ a mature student?! x

pixiedust_2

Silly question - what loan did you get, and was it income assessed? It might be worth checking - I know there are a couple of people who are in my group this year that recieved a non-assessed loan, but would have been better to apply for income assessment, and have applied to be reassessed

Perversia

How are they doing getting their account reassessed? I applied for income asssessed but they chose to assess it before they received my parents' evidence and they still haven't reassessed my account. I'm under the pilot scheme though so I can't talk to anyone useful about it either.

Tetsuko

dmg24 wrote: »

The hardship fund (also known as the Access to Learning Fund - there is a big thread on the topic that may help you) is the only source I can think of in your situation.

What year are you in? Unless you are in your final year, you should be able to manage a part time job as well as your studies.

You say you are not in 'any special minority' - does that mean you are not disabled/ married/ a parent/ a mature student?! x

I'm a mature student but I didn't realise that would make any difference. I don't really understand all the rules and regulations on what help you can/can't get. I'm usually the one who struggles, fails and then finds out that everyone else was getting lots of extra help that I didn't know about when it is too late .

I will take a look at the hardship fund thread, thank you. I didn't want to risk taking on extra work and [SIZE=-1]jeapordise[/SIZE] my degree this time round. I am determined to work as hard as possible to pass this time. We've been advised on our course that we are expected to do at least 40 hours per week of study. I'm not managing to fit that in at the mo and I'm not yet doing any PT work >.<

Tetsuko

pixiedust wrote: »

Silly question - what loan did you get, and was it income assessed? It might be worth checking - I know there are a couple of people who are in my group this year that recieved a non-assessed loan, but would have been better to apply for income assessment, and have applied to be reassessed

I got the maintenance loan. I think they must have assessed it on income already because they asked for my boyfriend's P60 to be included with the forms.

dmg24

Is your boyfriend not supporting you? The assessment assumes that he will be.

I would be surprised that any undergrad course would require 40 hours study. They will tell you that to scaremonger the younger students, but you really should not need to do nearly that much.

A mature student is more likely to get assistance from the Access to Learning Fund, but only if you have particularly high costs more commonly associated with being older, such as a mortgage.

DrFluffy

Uless you are in a legally recognised relationship, NEVER include your boyf/girlf's finances in your application.

Legally, they can not be made to support you, and if *just* sleeping with someone means they are then required to support you, then the Government is pushing you into a form of prostitution Most co-habiting bf/gf (or gf/gf / bf/bf) relationships are no different to living with a friend, save for sharing a bed (and even then... )...

dmg24

DrFluffy wrote: »

Uless you are in a legally recognised relationship, NEVER include your boyf/girlf's finances in your application.

Legally, they can not be made to support you, and if *just* sleeping with someone means they are then required to support you, then the Government is pushing you into a form of prostitution Most co-habiting bf/gf (or gf/gf / bf/bf) relationships are no different to living with a friend, save for sharing a bed (and even then... )...

Maybe some partners would be kind enough to want to support each other? A partnership is not *just* about sleeping together.

DrFluffy

dmg24 wrote: »

Maybe some partners would be kind enough to want to support each other? A partnership is not *just* about sleeping together.

My point about *sleeping* together, is that this is main differentiator between having a flat mate and a partner... You could live with your best friend, share bills etc, and they wouldn't be expected to support you. Why should someone HAVE to support you *just* because you love each other and sleep together? Simple. They shouldn't...

It's ended many a strong relationship.

Wanting to help out is a different kettle of fish.

Tetsuko

DrFluffy wrote: »

My point about *sleeping* together, is that this is main differentiator between having a flat mate and a partner... You could live with your best friend, share bills etc, and they wouldn't be expected to support you. Why should someone HAVE to support you *just* because you love each other and sleep together? Simple. They shouldn't...

It's ended many a strong relationship.

Wanting to help out is a different kettle of fish.

I completely agree but unfortunately the powers that be don't see it that way In the periods I haven't been working I've been totally penniless.

It's a terrible system that forces people to stay in relationships that they are unhappy in.