18 year old studying for HNC (2years)

ferretteeth

Hi. I am so confused about funding for education. My son is currently at the end of his compulsory education (A Level). He lives at home and I receive child benefit and tax credits to help support him. Although he is still 18 he has now been accepted for a 2year HNC course at a local college and will be getting a student loan to cover the course fees. However as he still lives at home there appears to be nothing available to support his living costs over the next two years. I believe I will no longer be entitled to child benefit or tax credits and this will leave me struggling to make ends meet. Both my husband and I work but our family income is very low.
Can anyone help explain what (if any) help is available to me. Also what will happen to tax credits and child benefit and when will these changes occur....will it be when he turns 19?
Many thanks to anyone who can help a confused and worried mum.
Is there anywhere he could borrow money to help cover his living costs? I don!!!8217;t want him getting into massive debt but wondered if there is something like a university student would have access to?

Caz3121

does your son have a part time job? the 'help' available would be dig money from your son
You mention him doing an HNC over 2 years...is he planning on doing this part time? (HNC is usually 1 year if full time and HND is 2 years)

Darksparkle

A HNC is considered advanced education so tax credits will stop from 31st August. I believe the date will be the same for child benefit.

ferretteeth

He has a part time job but it pays very little.
It is a full time course, I guess HNC first then HND but it is definitely over two years in total. He will be trying to get additional work but there is no way he!!!8217;ll be able to contribute anything like the support I currently receive.

lakes17

As well as son getting more hours as well as yourself/husband as to put it bluntly you must have known for ages that the extra income for your son would be coming to an end!

olgadapolga

Making the assumption that the course is via a college and not school, have you asked the college if they can offer any support for your son's course costs? They won't be able to help you out with living costs but even a bit towards the costs of books etc may help a little.

My daughter receives assistance from her college's student support fund - she gets her books/stationery, a photocopying/printing allowance, field trips, materials for courses (she did textiles last year and photography this year so there are additional course costs) plus they provide her with lunch when her classes go over the lunchtime period. It all adds up and it's a relief to know that she's not excluded from trips and can get the text books she needs etc., as we couldn't afford them.

You may even be able to find some educational grants that will help out, especially if it's considered to be advanced education.

poppy12345

ferretteeth wrote: »

Hi. I am so confused about funding for education. My son is currently at the end of his compulsory education (A Level). He lives at home and I receive child benefit and tax credits to help support him. Although he is still 18 he has now been accepted for a 2year HNC course at a local college and will be getting a student loan to cover the course fees. However as he still lives at home there appears to be nothing available to support his living costs over the next two years. I believe I will no longer be entitled to child benefit or tax credits and this will leave me struggling to make ends meet. Both my husband and I work but our family income is very low.
Can anyone help explain what (if any) help is available to me. Also what will happen to tax credits and child benefit and when will these changes occur....will it be when he turns 19?
Many thanks to anyone who can help a confused and worried mum.
Is there anywhere he could borrow money to help cover his living costs? I don!!!8217;t want him getting into massive debt but wondered if there is something like a university student would have access to?

The student loan covers the course fees and living costs, although it's less if they live at home. How much he gets will depend on your income. This student loan alongside his part job means he's meant to pay you for his keep.

WhenIam64

Student loans are a bit of a minefield as they can in certain circumstances, count as income to the home. Quite bizarre IMHO.

Have a read here

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Student-Support/How-does-student-support-affect-benefits

ferretteeth

Thanks to all those with positive responses. Nobody knows my real financial circumstances and I would happily work more to help out. I work in an industry severely affected by government cutbacks and hours just aren!!!8217;t available. I also have other children to consider and am trying to keep our heads above water in every way I can whilst supporting my sons wish to develop a career. I will get him to speak to the college and see what help is available. Thank you to those of you who don!!!8217;t judge.

poppy12345

ferretteeth wrote: »

Thanks to all those with positive responses. Nobody knows my real financial circumstances and I would happily work more to help out. I work in an industry severely affected by government cutbacks and hours just aren!!!8217;t available. I also have other children to consider and am trying to keep our heads above water in every way I can whilst supporting my sons wish to develop a career. I will get him to speak to the college and see what help is available. Thank you to those of you who don!!!8217;t judge.

Out of 6 replies, i can only see 1 person that has slightly judged you. All the advice you've been given above is true. His student loan and job needs to pay for his keep at home. Unfortunately losing benefits is part of our children growing up and becoming adults.

takman

ferretteeth wrote: »

He has a part time job but it pays very little.
It is a full time course, I guess HNC first then HND but it is definitely over two years in total. He will be trying to get additional work but there is no way he!!!8217;ll be able to contribute anything like the support I currently receive.

A full time course is very unlikely to be 5 days a week and usually is only 2 - 2 1/2 days a week so plenty of time for him to get a job paying a decent amount to support himself.

I've known people to work almost full time while doing a full time foundation degree as they were able to work over the weekend. They were still able to get over 80% overall as well.