HELP!! Student left in the lurch!

sframe23

This doesn't actually regard myself it's concerning a friend of mine but she doesn't have internet access at the minute so i offered to do some investigating for her!
A friend of mine has just completed her first year at university. Her parents decided to tell her suddenley that her dad has been offered a job abroad and has taken it. Apparently they are hoping to be out there before christmas. Obviously she does not want to go and as she's 19 it's her choice I guess! She says shes would have to start her uni course all over again if that is she can even find a suitable university over there that does her course as she doubts they will. And obviously she doesn't want to leave all her friends behind when she feels she's just starting to live her life!
She said to her parents she doesn't wish to go with them and they apparently got very angry and said that it was her choice but basically if she stayed here alone they wouldn't help her financially ( a little harsh I think to say the least)
I have a spare room in the house I rent and would be happy for her to lodge with me but obviously I would need money to help with bills and things as well as her needing money for food petrol and other bills.
Any ideas on anywhere that can help us find information about any benefits or grants she could get to help her?

melancholly

i have no real suggestions on what to do (apart from her going through all the usual student finance routes), but i would just say don't make too many plans until the dust has settled from this..... both sides are clearly angry and decisions may change when they've clamed down.

Kavanne

I think she needs to prove she's now permanently estranged from her parents. She can phone student finance direct and ask how to proceed and what documents she may need to provide.

Oldernotwiser

Surely as she's done her first year then she'll already be in the student finance system? If she can prove that she's permanently estanged from her parents then she's likely to be eligible for a grant as well as her loan but she does already receive money to support herself to some degree.

Would it not be possible for her to continue with her degree in this country and to travel out to stay with her parents for some, if not all, of her holidays? That's what most students with parents living abroad would do and this would avoid a family rift.

findingmyownway

Plenty of students get by with no financial help from their parents. She needs to go through the system (which as she's already been at uni for a year she should find straightforward). Ask for help at the Union if there are any problems.

And i agree with oldernotwiser - university terms are only 10 weeks long - she could easily visit family in the meantime (assuming they would pay for flights!)

Lokolo

My first term is 12 weeks long.....

Each semester is 12 weeks long and it depends on the uni how long each term is. Mine is 12, 9 and 3. We start early but finish early.

Flower08

Both my parents live in different countries whilst i am at uni, there are plenty of people who do go thru uni without any financial help from parents. She just needs to go thru the usual student finance grants and loans - and of course get a job! And just because the parents have moved abroad it doesnt mean she cant have a relationship with them, think the dust just needs to settle a bit. I visit my parents as much as i can and still get by thru uni financially. Its a scary thought but im sure she'll manage!

amiehall

hahaha i'm sorry but showing the slc that your parents refuse to support you is pointless. this isn't evidence of permanent estrangement. i find it hard to believe that she's never going to speak to her parents again.

she'd probably cope fine provided that her parents aren't on high incomes. if their income is too high (or they refuse to be assessed!!) and she's only entitled to minimum loan then it's gonna be hard for her to support herself yes but there aren't really any funds available for situations like this. otherwise other people would just stop paying their children money too so they could get more for free....

basically there isn't a lot to be done other than to get a job and to try and convince the parents that it's a bit unreasonable to expect someone to leave the country half way through their degree and hope they come around.....

bestpud

What financial support does she get now?

If her parents are currently supplementing her income then she will need to find work and make up the difference. But otherwise, she will likely be eligible for the same funding she had last year?

You make it sound as though her parents are completely supporting her, including living costs, tuition costs, and spending money, but I assume that is not the case?

I think they may come round if she goes home during her breaks, as others have said. Perhaps they simply hadn't thought she would refuse to go with them and were a bit taken aback?

I suggest she find out for sure what she will be entitled to (she could visit student support at her uni) and take it from there. Once she knows what she can expect to receive and what she needs to pay out, she can begin making arrangements to make up the shortfall (by working or cutting her outgoings - does she really need a car for example?)

I'm sure she will be fine though. And she won't be alone; your post shows she has one good friend at least!

Blacksheep1979

Be careful, this way lies a slippery slope, taking in a mate and just covering your costs can be dangerous and lead to heartaches, headaches, walletaches and no more friendship

Flower08

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

Be careful, this way lies a slippery slope, taking in a mate and just covering your costs can be dangerous and lead to heartaches, headaches, walletaches and no more friendship

Agree completely. But to be honest cant see any reason why she shouldnt be able to manage. I get the minimum amount of student maintenence and no other grants or loans. She has all summer to work and save money ready for the beginning of her next year and uni (even then she can continue working part time), plenty of people are in this financial situation and manage, its not the end of the world. And as previously said i cant imagine her parents would completely disown because she didnt want to move.