Advise needed!!!

nikkif_3

I start uni on sat and really starting to worry about the whole money situation. I will receive £3390 loan, and got a £1250 over draft. My accomadation is over £3400, this includes food so not so bad, but I still have to pay the full amount for fees. At the mo moment it is set up for my parents account but I have to pay them back by october. I am looking for a job while I'm in uni but its hard at the moment as I don't know what hours I will be in lectures. Has anyone got any advise please?

juno

Bar work is good for students. Or you'll probably have saturdays and wednesday afternoons off, so you could look for things around then. But if you start looking nowish then you'll be ahead of most people, and good employers should understand you need to fit it around your studies.

I started looking on Tuesday and got a job today, so it can be done!

memo_2

Hi there,
Just a thought....or a few....
Can you get access to your university Hardship/Access Funds?
Have you enquired about other funding/grant (I know these are rare!) you might be eligible to through your university? You will need to provide proof of your finances ie last 3 months bank statements, student loan assessment form, etc.
and is it possible to get your parents (try begging) to extend their deadline until you at least get a job.
As for job hunting, try the student union/bar or your university job shop or similar.
Hope that's helped a little.
Good luck
Memo

nikkif_3

gizmoleeds wrote:

You may not have to pay all your accommodation upfront - but then you won't get all your loan upfront.

Although it's no help to you, this problem will be eradicated next year when to-up fees are introduced and all fees are paid after graduation.

Where are you at Uni? If it is a big city like Liverpool/Birmingham/Manchester etc. it will be easier to find work than somewhere small like Durham.

i will be in cardiff, have applied for about 10 jobs so I guess its just wait and see!

taxipink

Can you pay your accomodation and your fees in instalments? That might give you a bit of breathing space to earn enough for each semester?

taxipink

Or see if there are any families locally who might need regular babysitting? You can study at the same time as working that way and you won't be as knackered as you would be if you were working in a bar.
I worked in a video rental shop as they needed people who could work late at night when normal folks want to be in bed!!

Savvy_Sue

Does the Union or elsewhere on campus have a jobshop where you can look for part-time work? I think most unis do.

If you like children, see if there is an local 'umbrella body' for childcare and offer your services as a playworker in out of school clubs. Best way is probably through the Children's Information Service - follow links to your area, and see if there is a link for training and jobs.

Out of school clubs may be happy to have you for afterschool cover on days when you don't have lectures, and may be able to offer more hours during the school half-term. Just be clear about what days you can work, and when you are there and not there.

crana999

Um.. in future, live somewhere less outrageously priced and make your own food!

ashmit

Especially if you got good A level results, what about tutoring for GCSEs or A levels? Few people I knew at uni did that and got paid very well for it.

Kitten_2

Pretty damn sure that

a) Your loan comes through in 3 installments - each at the beginning of the new term. Your final payment will always be the largest of the three as well (of course the time when you dont need books etc)

b) Your accomadation fees will also be in 3 installments, so that your loan goes off on that. With the smallest amount being the last installment.

It would seem that you would use all your loan to pay off your hall fees first term, and all your overdraft paying your parents back (altho arent they supposed to be paying for it, not making you pay it back to them?) After that it will be job time.

The union during the first week have job shops, and lots of interviews for bar staff and security. Obviously people like security get paid more, esp for late nites. The union should also have posters advertising jobs that are suited for students in the local area. (Well thats what my union did)

I hope this gives some insight into the whole monetary aspect of uni.

Remember to have fun, say hi to everyone, take a doorstop and make the most of freshers week. Books can be bought second hand on campus, and you do notneed to get all of them. The library will have a small supply, and you can always find people to share with.

Good luck!

Savvy_Sue

memo wrote:

and is it possible to get your parents (try begging) to extend their deadline until you at least get a job.

I'm with memo on this, have you talked to your parents about paying back your fees over a longer period? Maybe you know why they've said this, maybe they've borrowed the money themselves, but equally it can be hard for us as parents to know what your commitments are going to be, and how the student loan works and all that. I've sort of pounced on my son every time he's had an official looking letter, so I've got half an idea, but if I hadn't done that I'd probably know nothing!