Going to Uni, but still a full time mum!

vannessaq

Hi,

I am starting a uni course in September I think it is classed as a full time course. I will be attending classes 3 1/2 days a week and it is a 3 year course which will lead to a business degree. I have been out of training etc for a while due to having children, 1 and 2 1/2 years old therefor I am a full time mum. My questions are these does anyone know if there are any things I will be entitled too? I know I will get a student card but i'm not sure what this entitles me for so any help would be greatly received. Also im am going to be putting my children in nursery for the days i'm at uni so is there anyway I can claim towards the cost of this as its very exspensive?

Thanks

chugalug

Hi, congratulations on getting your course, you won't regret it. As a single mum aswell there are a couple of things I found out which help the finances a bit. First, do get your student union card as a lot of retailers with give you a discount (usually 10%) with it. Also cinema tickets, eating out etc is cheaper. Second, you will still receive your tax credits on top of any funding you receive from your local authority plus your CB obviously. Third, if you do manage any part time work, as long as it is less than 16 hours pw and you earn I think below £12000 that money is on top of your student funding and CTC. As for childcare, tax credits only pay 70% if you are working 16 hours or over per week - not realistic in your situation as your children are very young. Ask your LA for a childcare application form so that you can apply for funding with this through your student income. This is 85% of the full cost so well worth having and is paid with your other funding 3 times a year. Also check out your Uni for subsidised childcare places - it may be too late or you may have childcare in place already but just in case............ Finally, as a single parent you can apply for housing benefit if renting, you don't pay any council tax as a student (have to apply) and you can claim Income Support in the holidays as your funding only covers the academic year. All I can think of at the moment but HTH for now.

vannessaq

hi chuglug,
Thank you for your reply, the course im doing is funded by the european council (i think!) It will lead to " European Business Degree" So I wont have to pay for the course fees but obviously I will have to pay for everything else, books, childcare etc. You mentioned funding from LA how did you get that and what does it cover? I really didn't think that there was anything I could get as I am a full time mum. I am also married aswell and my husband is the breadwinner so that was another reason I didn't think I would be entitled to anything? Any links etc or help is greatly appreciated.
:j :j :j :j :j

Sarahsaver

your uni welfare officer should help, you should have been given info about this. Pester them if you have not! Join the mature students' association. You will get a student card. I have a friend who is a single mum with 3 kids, doing a degree full time and shes doing very well. Pm me if you want a chat!
all the best and well done

deddogblues

Don't forget you can also get a reduction in your council tax too (25% iirc).

Spendless

hi vanessa

Just in case you can't get any childcare help via your LA. Couple of other suggestions for you.

Does your hubbys employer offer childcare vouchers (or can they be persuaded to start offering them?). If so your hubby can salary sacrifice upto £50 a week in return for £50 of childcare vouchers. the money he has salary sacrificed is exempt of tax and NI.

Also there is non means tested funding for child term after their 3rd birthday-equates to 12.5 hours in term-time. I notice your eldest is 2.5.
For children born Sep-Dec funding starts in jan
For children born Jan-Dec funding starts after easter
For children born Apr-Aug funding starts in Sep.

You can use the funding at 3 in conjunction with the childcare vouchers

HTH

stuwilky

Vanessa if you are on a HE course which is funded through your LEA you may be entitled to the
- Parents Learning Allowance (of circa £1300 per year)
- Childcare Grant - 85% of your childcare costs (upto 85% of £200 a week for 2)

vannessaq

Thanks stuwilky,

My course is being funded by the Uni that i'm going too, Where do I find out about the help you was talking about i.e parents learning allowance and childcare grant?

I also want to say thank you to everyone who has posted with information for me.

I have found out the course i'm doing is classed as part-time as its only 3 1/2 days a week. Because of this I dont think i'm entitled to a reduction in my council tax. So i'm not sure now if i'm entitled to any thing?

Thanks again

chugalug

If you're taking a p/t degree I think you would be entitled to something. There used to be a £500 loan available through the student loan company which you applied for via your local authority. If I remember correctly this became a grant last year. Your LA would know what help you could get so contact them first. Or as others have said the Uni direct. HTH

stuwilky

vannessaq wrote:

Thanks stuwilky,

My course is being funded by the Uni that i'm going too, Where do I find out about the help you was talking about i.e parents learning allowance and childcare grant?

I also want to say thank you to everyone who has posted with information for me.

I have found out the course i'm doing is classed as part-time as its only 3 1/2 days a week. Because of this I dont think i'm entitled to a reduction in my council tax. So i'm not sure now if i'm entitled to any thing?

Thanks again

3 1/2 days isnt part time! The Council Tax Regs say that anyone studying for more than 21 hours a week is a full time student for the purposes of council tax.

It is the Local Education Authority who deal with applications for student funding, I am not sure if you are eligible but it doesnt hurt to ask.

Just look up "student support" on your county council website and the contact info should be there.

elisebutt65

Hi Vanessa,
I'm a single mum studying full time for a degree. I read that you're marrieds so some of this may not apply.
Student Finance
Aim higher

These should give you an idea what sort of loans and grants are available.
You should apply for the full student loan anyway, and then if you get it - whack it into an ING direct account or similar to get the 4.75% interest and then pay it off when you've finished your studies. Unfortunatley i can only sae about £50/month of mine as I have kids to bring up.

Your Uni should give you a council tax exemption form and then your hubbie will get 25% CT relief.
You should also apply for the childcare grant as this covers up to 85% of the costs.

You may get a parents learning allowance - But this may be means tested - I'm not earning so I get all the full grants etc.

Basically have a look at the websites and get onto your LEA, just apply for everything going and see what you get.