Student seeking financial help...

caj56k

Hi all,

Great website first of all, I have learnt so much already! I was wondering if some of you may be able to help me. Please stick with it, it’s quite detailed :S ...

I am a student of architecture (currently in 4th year work experience) and will be going back to university for my 5th and 6th year in September. I am worrying that I may not be able to afford to continue with the course and I am finding it hard to save for the next two years given that I will need to buy a new computer and laptop as well as continuing to pay £320 rent. When uni starts again I will have a £4000 loan for the year. This will be my only income. My outgoings for rent alone will be £3520. With me already having 3 years as an architecture student under my belt, I, and any other architecture students will testify, that the course is extremely expensive with constant printing and material costs.

I got through the first 3 years (course is split into 1st,2nd,3rd yr education, 4th yr work exp, 5th,6th yr education, 7th yr work exp) by opening 4 student bank accounts and rinsing the overdrafts (over £5000) before paying them off this year in my work experience. The next two years however I will not be able to do this as don’t think they will allow it.

I am also very sceptical about getting a job. The course is intensive and you are lucky if u don’t do at least 2-3 all nighters every week and have very little social life (so no money is going out via that route). I have known a few ppl to get jobs just to help and none have been successful in getting the grade they want or even seeing it out. These ppl have had stress related medical problems, poor grades, breakdowns or even just walked out on the course. I wish I was overreacting, but the fact of the matter is that I am willing to struggle financially in order to succeed in the reason why I came to uni which is to get qualifications.

The question I have therefore is how should I go about getting the financial support I need for the next two years? Bear in mind that I need around £5000-6000 and can’t make any repayments for at least the next two years. Would a loan be the best way to go (is it possible in my position) or maybe be a credit card switcher until I can make repayments. I also think my credit rating may be poor given my position and history.

Thanks for sticking with the post if u do have any thoughts I would really appreciate it as I really stuck at this point and may have to cancel or at least prolong university another year which I really don’t want to do.


Thanks everyone

jonesMUFCforever

Why do you need 2 computers?

I would look for jobs outside of term time - so during study periods you can concentrate on your studies.

Is there nobody who could sponsor you - eg your present employer?
Good luck.

caj56k

thanks for the reply buddy!

unfortunately my employer cant sponsor me as they are quite a small company. they have said that there is the possibilty of a job when ive finished the next two years, and it is a very good company with lots of ppl wanting a job so i wouldnt like to push my luck to far.

with the way things are set up at uni as well with studio sessions at least twice a week - the cost of printing your work for these sessions will (and did in previous years) outway the cost of simply buying a cheap laptop (£200 approx) and just showing your work on that.

i can see what u r trying to say tho and i appreciate it. unfortunatley for me, the above things listed will be neccessary. nice thought about once ive finished the first year tho, i think in between that and starting the next year i will almost certainly have to get a job.

thanks for your thought man, appreciate it!

any thoughts on how to get the financial support for those two years - what method to use? any good deals? is there another way other then credit cards and bank loans?