Private College/Living Away Under 18 Help?

maxter71

Hi
Our daughter is going to be starting a private college in Blackpool in September. The fees are approx £1800/term x 3 terms and she will be living in Blackpool 3 nights/week at approx £15/night. I wondered if she would be eligible for any financial support since she is not taking a government funded college place and/or support for living away from home at under 18 years old? We are an average income family and so have never been entitled to any benefits/credits etc.
Thanks for any advice.

silvercar

If you choose to leave the state system for private, you are liable for all the costs involved.

agrinnall

Is she doing this because the collge offers something that is not available through the state system? If so I would expect most educational establishments of that type would have information on bursaries and other awards (likely to be very competitive) that may be available.

maxter71

Yes, it’s the best way to actually get employment at the end... it’s a dance college. You’re right it is competitive but she’s in and there may be scholarships/ bursaries in the 2nd/3rd year. I just mostly wondered about any help with living away from home costs since she won’t be 18.

Spendless

Hi, it depends on the course and unfortunately whether it's in a universal credit area.

I'm aware from another forum I go on for parents of performing arts children that last year some of them managed to get their rent (or at least a contribution to it) paid for their child, even if under 18. When some started looking into it this year, they found if a UC area, the wording had been slightly changed which meant it no longer would be.

I'd try asking the college if they know of anything, unfortunately though I don't hold out much hope.