Part time mature student

MatureStudent_3

Hiya, I'm just about to start a part time degree course, it is on day release from the NHS (I training to be an ologist, not a nurse or a doctor)

Apart from an NUS card can I get anything other discounts, benefits from anywhere?

I'll be on a basic training wage (60% drop in wages from current job :eek: ), I own a house with my OH so I have to pay a motgage, bills etc.. can I get any discounts/reductions/ help with these?

I've had a good hunt through the board but I couldn't find anything, sorry if the question has been asked before.

r.mac_2

hello there

Firstly - good luck with the course.

You may be entitled to a reduction in council tax. I'm not sure though as you are only a part-time student. However, this may be negated by the fact you live with your OH and are the only student in the family (?) I think it's worth contacting teh council and asking.

If I think of anything else - i'll let you know

HTH

MatureStudent_3

Oooh, great, thanks for that. I didn't think I'd be able to make any big savings but discount off the council tax would be a great help. I'll ring them.

Thanks for the luck, I think I'm gonna need it! It's a really big change of direction and, although I know the budgets work out on paper I'm a bit scared of taking such a drop, it feels really weird to be a broke student again Thanks again.

Cat72

I just want to say good luck to you :T. It is very hard making descions like this and you should be very proud of yourself. I so admire people who want to better themselves and have enough guts to try to move on. It is frightening being " mature " students as you have the finacia concerns plus the am I too old ? past it ? hesitations. But I personally think a lot of people do learn more once thety are older. So give yourself a big pat on the back !

MatureStudent_3

Thank you Cat, the closer it gets the more nervous I get. Comments like yours just make me realise that I will be OK, and that I have done the right thing, thanks Luckily OH is really supportive, even though it means he will become the main bread winner now :eek:

You're right about feeling old, I'm not really that old, but compared to the other students I will be. I'll just have to get my blue rince done REALLY blue next time and get it set into spikes instead of curls :rotfl:

chugalug

I think there is a student grant from the Student Loan Co. that you can get if you are part time. It used to be a £500 loan but think its now a £500 grant. You have to contact your local authority first and they'll send you the relevant forms to complete. PS don't worry about the 'mature' bit, I'm a full time student at 43 but after a while no-one really takes any notice, you're all there for the same reason. Good luck!!

hippypixie

Hi

Well done for taking the plunge! I too am a mature part time student, I am 37 and a Mum of two kids as well as working 2 nights a week as a staff nurse so life is busy to say the least. I have just done one year of my Graphics and Illustration course, so now have 5 years to go!

Reguarding financial help, its harder for part timers to get assistance and I was worried as my hubby earns a reasonable wage too. But I was able to get a 'discretionary bursary' from the faculty of Art and Design at my University, which is available to part time students. It only amounted to about £450 but it helped enormously to reduce my fees.

It may be worth you asking if the department you are studying with has a similar sceme? I think that, certainly where I am studying, each dept is allocated funds which they can give to students in the form of a small bursary. Its on a first come first served basis and when the moneys gone its gone, but its worth a try. You would need to complete a form filling in some details about your income and expenses but its not too complicated!

Plus, try looking on your University website, more than likely it will have a student finances section with an email address that you can send questions too, they may be able to assist you.

Good luck! :beer:

hippypixie

And if you reckon YOU are old...my Dads starting a part time Degree course this year and he is 76!!! He will be 82 when he finishes it! Lol