Single Parent considering university

chugalug

I am currently a f/t student, single parent of 3. I've found it easier financially than I thought I would so don't let the money side of things put you off. Not having to pay council tax is a big help but I do pay my full rent. I receive my student loan, the single parents grant and some other grant of £1000 per year (I should really check my paperwork!) I didn't have to pay my fees. I get full CTC for 2 of my children from IR and a childcare grant from student funding. This is set at 85% of actual cost as opposed to the IR 70% so more generous. This is granted for the whole year so covers holidays etc. I do get some maintenance so havent yet tried to claim any HB. I know I can work up to 15 hours a week without it affecting my current income. If I worked over 16 hours a week I would have WTC plus my wages but I'm reluctant to mess up my tax credits. I could also claim free school meals etc if I wanted to. So all in all my current income is okay - I just worry about my debt. BUT having said that I still think it's worth every penny! Good luck whatever you decide.
Just to say this is for non NHS courses or teaching courses as these are funded differently.

november

I was a single parent on income support who went to uni f/t course started about 9 years ago. At the time I started I had one child at school and one in p/t nursery.

I had a grant and had to take out a student loan. I wasn't entitled to income support or grants etc from DSS which was rough as at the time I had no furniture (no help with getting kids beds etc). I did get a small hardship grant from the uni. I had to contribute towards my rent although got some housing benefit.

The worst time was the summer holidays. I was told I was entitled to apply for income support then. What they didn't tell me is I woudn't be entitled to any money as they averaged my income (grant and loans) over the year but didn't take child care costs into account! As my childcare was relatively high having one not in f/t school I lost out big time and summer was a very difficult time for us financially. However I was luckier than one poor single mum I heard of who actually went back to uni in the Sept with malnutrition due to lack of food! I know things may have changed since then (I hope).

OU - I did enquire about OU but all the courses I wanted included a residential element and I had no-one to have the children for me while I went away. I did phone OU at the time but they just said 'Haven't you got someone who could have them for a week, yes the residential is vital to the course.' Hopefully thats changed now too but its something worth checking out - can the course be done purely at home or does it involve going somewhere as well?


Sorry long post - my actual point is despite all that I don't regret it. I kept hitting a brick wall prior to uni with getting a job at the level I had reached experience wise and at the level of income I needed to earn to come off benefits (no tax credits back then). Although I'm STILL in debt from it I am managing and in control of my own finances plus much better off than I was on benefits. I also now have a full time professional job and bought my own my house (with a mortgage).

Zeldazog

Thank you everyone for your replies. There are plenty of ideas there for places I hadn't even thought of enquiring, and I will check them out.

I'm very lucky that my Mum is very supportive, and lives nearby our house and the school, so childcare is not an issue right now (although I suppose I do worry about her age), but thanks for the info on that too.

But most of all, hearing that no-one has had regrets, despite the difficulties, and that everyone seems to have managed somehow is really helping. Its good to hear words of support!

penrith

november wrote:

OU - I did enquire about OU but all the courses I wanted included a residential element and I had no-one to have the children for me while I went away. I did phone OU at the time but they just said 'Haven't you got someone who could have them for a week, yes the residential is vital to the course.' Hopefully thats changed now too but its something worth checking out - can the course be done purely at home or does it involve going somewhere as well?

i think they give everyone that same speech when they don;t want to go on the summer schools.

I can't speak for the official position but i know from experience that you can get an excusal. i think a summer school is useful & helpful, but vital they aint! . Certainally if you have a medical condition, are pregnant or children under the age of 2 you can be excused automatically. I am sure if you present other compelling reasons you could also get out of these too. Actually a lot of more up-to-date courses now offer an online version of the summer school because i think traditionally people are reluctant to take courses with a summer school. In my experinece they always make out the rules are fixed and unbendable - but usually they are so flexible it is almost beyond belief.

I was really reluctant to go on my first summer school but i thoroughally enjoyed it. I loved it and couldn;t wait for the next one. It was certainally worth going to. However, if you have zero childcare then it is impossible to go on a summer school. Maybe if you were interested in a particular course you could ask from the outset about it. Lay it on thick about the summer school how you really really want to do the course but you have absolutely no-one to care for the kids etc etc. Logic tells me that if you can present a compelling case for excusal they wouldn't refuse to let you on the course.

loopy_lass

i am single parent at uni part time, i keep my £250 for books & travel & get full benefits as its part time.....

hth loops