Will i be better off......

genuinegal

moving out or staying where i am?

I have decided to go back to Higher Education this sept (08) but it will take me 2 years to start uni (sept 10) because i don't possess the necessary entry requirements for degree level. I'm currently 27, so i'll be 29 when i start Uni.

I currently live with my partner - he owns the house and i just pay him a set amount every month. He earns £24k and will probably earn £26k by the time i go to uni. I'll be going part time in work earning £7500 a year.

Firstly, will I receive full financial support (that includes grant and student loan) which equates to around £5k even though i live with my partner? I'm concerned that i won't receive full financial support because of what my partner earns - or, will i be techinically classed as a 'tenant' because i don't own the house? I'm just wondering whether i'm better off moving out into shared accommodation and that way, i'll be classed as dependant rather than co-dependant, does that make sense?

I'd appreciate any help you may have - thanks!

Emma

hemc

Your partners income will be taken into account and affect the amount you can claim by a large amount !
On your wages alone you will get full loan and grants but with your partner I think you would be very limited in my experience ( I am at uni now) its the students who's partners /parents earn 20K or over who are worst off as they get no benefits but are not on a huge wage for two and a morgate ect.
I get full help as my dh is on under 14K saying that I don't work (not able to with my chosen degree due to placments) so you need to factor in your wages and what living costs would be.
call your local he dept at the council mine were great.
c x

genuinegal

I was just thinking though, since my name isn't on the mortgage, i'm techincally house sharing aren't i? So i'd be deemed as an independant student therefore, entitling me to the max support..?

roxalana

genuinegal wrote: »

I was just thinking though, since my name isn't on the mortgage, i'm techincally house sharing aren't i? So i'd be deemed as an independant student therefore, entitling me to the max support..?

Sorry but no - you are cohabiting with your partner so your support will be based on his income unless you move out (although surely this will increase your expenses?). If you marry (or are married) to your partner your support will be based on his income unless you can prove you are separated. Sorry.

I think if you start Uni in a few years you will be better off than students at the moment because I think the government is changing the threshold for full support, but that is assuming the government don't change the rules again before you start!

mikewebs

Just a thought, but why are you waiting until 2010? You may be able to get in on the course you want because, at 27, you are a mature student and often the admission criteria are different for 'oldies'. I got onto a degree course with just o'levels 15 years ago and I know that my local unis all state they will look at mature students' on an individual basis because you have substantial skills (time management, prioritising etc) that can be transferred into your studies. Also, mature students tend to be more commtited, working harder because they have chosen to alter the course of their life to study. I would approach the university where you want to study to see what the course tutor says.

Hope this helps

fallen_angel_shelley

best hing is to check out this site. www.ditrct.gov.uk , it will have all the info on grants, loans, etc. why cant you start uni next year?

dmg24

fallen_angel_shelley wrote: »

best hing is to check out this site. www.ditrct.gov.uk , it will have all the info on grants, loans, etc. why cant you start uni next year?

Do you mean www.direct.gov.uk?

OP, claiming to be a 'tenant' when you are actually living in a partnership is fraud. Should this be discovered, you could be subject to an investigation, and in some cases, prosecution. This could affect any future job applications, and in effect make your degree worthless.

Honesty is always the best policy.

fallen_angel_shelley

dmg24 wrote: »

Do you mean www.direct.gov.uk?

OP, claiming to be a 'tenant' when you are actually living in a partnership is fraud. Should this be discovered, you could be subject to an investigation, and in some cases, prosecution. This could affect any future job applications, and in effect make your degree worthless.

Honesty is always the best policy.

opps, yes i did mean that site. trying to type and watch tv

bestpud

You won't get a grant but you will get a loan.

What you are asking is whether you can get away with fraud!

Tbh, between you and with the loan on top, you will have a pretty high income - enough to live on surely?

You will also get a 25% reduction in your council tax if it is just the two of you in the house.

Chai_2

Many uni's do foundation years where you study you chosen course at A level + for a year. This is more cost effective as you get all of the benefits of being at unio, i.e.. grants and you get a taste of uni life. It may be worth a look.

mummytofour

Good luck with whatever u do. I did key skills last yr and am doing Access now, I hope to get to uni in Sep if they will have me!