The Student Room Group

Single mum with a mortgage-can I afford uni?

Hello,

I'm on my own with my daughter, I work full time, which I have to, as I have a mortgage to pay. I really, really want to go to uni, but I'm scared to leave my job in case I can't manage financially. I'm finding it really hard to find out what i would get in terms of money but I'm thinking I can't be the only person in this situation? If anyone could give me an idea I would be so grateful.
Reply 1
What do you want to study?
Reply 2
How can anybody possible answer unless you say what your expendature and income is?

Pointless thread.
Original post by tillylils
Hello,

I'm on my own with my daughter, I work full time, which I have to, as I have a mortgage to pay. I really, really want to go to uni, but I'm scared to leave my job in case I can't manage financially. I'm finding it really hard to find out what i would get in terms of money but I'm thinking I can't be the only person in this situation? If anyone could give me an idea I would be so grateful.


Hiya :smile:

There is a lot of help out there & I think, with being a single Mum, that it may be manageable for you :smile:

I found most of the information I needed from here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Educatio...ance/index.htm

and some from here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Educatio...ners/index.htm

http://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/mone...her-education/

http://www.studentfinance.direct.gov.../summary.xhtml

Links for a parent:

http://www.brightknowledge.org/knowl...tudent-parents

http://www.studentparents.org/check-list.aspx

I hope this helps.

I'd start by looking at the very first link, there is a lot of information there, 99% I would say. Then look at the others. They are all very helpful & should give you a good indicator of what you are entitled to.

How old is your daughter? Sorry if that's a bit personal, but the amount you receive may depend on that factor.

I'm quite sure (but please check first) that if you left work, you could claim income support as a single parent. By claiming this you become eligible for the student support grant as opposed to the maintenance grant. This means that the amount of student loan you can get is increased & the SSG is non means-tested which means it wont affect your benefits.

To be honest, it is a very complicated system, but there is a lot of help available at the moment. I have worked out (I am a in a couple & have 5 children - the amount of children have no bearing on the amount I'll receive) that with all the available help (including that of university bursaries) we will receive in the region of £220-£310 a week (dependent on university), plus help with childcare.

If you are still struggling then send me a PM with as much detail as possible about yourself & your daughter; which universities you are interested in; where you are in the country along with what subject you'd like to study & your current incomings/outgoings.
I will work out the min/max that you can receive & let you know if you can manage :smile:

HTH & please don't feel like you have to do any of the above, the option is there if you need it.

Take care x
Reply 4
As a parent and a mortgage holder myself i might be able to tell u what ive found out that helps

If your living at home whilst studying at uni ur entitled to if ur earnings under 24k or watever it is:

Tuition Fees: 9k
Loan and Grant 7-8k
Adult Learning grant 1-1.5k odd
Childcare grant - I think this covers all childcare for ur duration of course but not sure

Apparently im entitled to just under 10k in loans and grants and ontop of that i should be able to get access course bursary which is extra 1k odd. Sorry about estimations but its all dependent on ur current situation, but shudnt be very much different.

So even if u do have kids, or a mortgage, u shud be at least comfortable for the duration of the course, the only downside to it is finding a job once u graduate, but as that is 3-4years into the future u shudnt worry about that yet

I have a feeling also that if i live at home whilst at uni, i shud be able to save up a a couple of 000's to tie me over once ma course has finished.
(edited 11 years ago)

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