Funding a PGCE with two small children

raspberrymenace · 23 April 2020 at 8:22AM

**Advice on how to fund a PGCE yearwith two small children please**

I want to start a PGCE next year as a full time student but am worried money will be too tight. Tuition fee loan aside, our household will be over £30k short with me not working. It seems we will lose tax free childcare for our 2 year old and will not qualify for 30 hours childcare for our 3 year old because I will not be working. Childcare cost is the killer.

I have applied for student finance for the tuition fee loan, higher maintenance loan, parents learning allowance and childcare grant.
However, I suspect that I will not be eligible for the higher maintenance loan, parents learning allowance or childcare grant because my partner's salary is too high (although unfortunately not high enough to cover us for next year).
That means that I may only have £5k loan for living costs from student finance, which doesn't make a dent in what my family needs to get by.

Have looked at a personal loan but am doubtful I can get one if in not working unless I secure it against the house (which is an absolute no-no!)

Does anyone have any ideas about other options/funding streams/any helpful advice?
Many thanks

Brynsam · 23 April 2020 at 10:17AM

Have you contacted the college where you plan to do your PGCE? This sort of question will crop up the whole time and they should be able to send you information, not least in terms of any 'local' sources such as charities who might chip in.