Anybody else only eligble for the absolute minimum financial assistance?
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Does anyone else think its slightly unfair how much money other people can get?
A girl I know has never worked a day in her life, is massively spoiled by her parents (who admittedly don't earn much) and has qualified for all sorts of bursaries and grants. She's not sure she even wants to go to university, but because of all this extra money, she is now living in the best accomodation the university provides (double bed and ensuite and everything) because her parents are giving her money AS WELL. And here's me, earning money to be able to pay for accomodation and feed myself - despite my dad earning over the boundary, he's having to give me anad my sister about £8000 a year. For me, it'll be five years, for my sister, most likely four. So in total, he's expected to hand out £36000 to my sisteer and I. Meanwhile, his taxes are paying for other people to live in relative luxury. Obviously he CAN afford it, but it doesn't seem fair that he has to give us soo much more money, and we are still not oging to be living as well as people whose parents earn less.
Sorry, I feel quite strongly about this :/
A girl I know has never worked a day in her life, is massively spoiled by her parents (who admittedly don't earn much) and has qualified for all sorts of bursaries and grants. She's not sure she even wants to go to university, but because of all this extra money, she is now living in the best accomodation the university provides (double bed and ensuite and everything) because her parents are giving her money AS WELL. And here's me, earning money to be able to pay for accomodation and feed myself - despite my dad earning over the boundary, he's having to give me anad my sister about £8000 a year. For me, it'll be five years, for my sister, most likely four. So in total, he's expected to hand out £36000 to my sisteer and I. Meanwhile, his taxes are paying for other people to live in relative luxury. Obviously he CAN afford it, but it doesn't seem fair that he has to give us soo much more money, and we are still not oging to be living as well as people whose parents earn less.
Sorry, I feel quite strongly about this :/
Original post by Rarrgh
Why would you want a Macbook Air... There terrible quality for money... They focus mainly on the aesthetics and the fact it's a 'Mac'. You could most defiantly get an equally good if not better laptop for about £400. Even if i was rich i wouldn't by a Mac, I can't stand them they are merely overpriced nonsense.
Find me a £400 laptop that's not plastic, has 9 hour battery and an SSD?
Original post by Patchey1000
Find me a £400 laptop that's not plastic, has 9 hour battery and an SSD?
Find me an £400 Apple laptop full stop. To get what you've just described, you'd probably have to pay at least twice as much. They are totally different prices.
If you do have all these personal issues then I suggest when your at university you contact the access to learning fund (ALF form), there is a section where you can explain about your hardship and if they deem it believable they can offer upto £1000 grant a year. this does NOT go on your parents income but on what is in your bank account, I believe you have to give 3 months worth of statements.
There are plenty of charities willing to fund students through university it is just a case of looking for them.
Also, getting a job really isn't that bad. I work 20 hours a week in the evening and weekend. Remember unless your doing medicine or teaching you are more than likely to have one r two days off during the week. Even if you only want to work 12 hours a week (which I did last year), I think my net monthly pay was something like £400. And you can usually up your hours as you need to in retail.
Some banks can offer upto a £3000 overdraft interest free you don't have to pay back until 2 years after you've graduated, so that's an extra £1000 a year.
Also, are you sure you need an extra £4000? If your living at home you can solely get buy on just the loan, my boyfriend did it for 4 years... If you are planning on moving out, it's just about being sensible with your money.
Go to cheap clubs on the student nights, you won't be paying more than £10 a night. Shop in cheaper supermarkets with only things that are on offer and be creative with cooking you can get your weekly food for under £20. Try and cut any direct debits you have as they eat away at your bank account.
There are plenty of charities willing to fund students through university it is just a case of looking for them.
Also, getting a job really isn't that bad. I work 20 hours a week in the evening and weekend. Remember unless your doing medicine or teaching you are more than likely to have one r two days off during the week. Even if you only want to work 12 hours a week (which I did last year), I think my net monthly pay was something like £400. And you can usually up your hours as you need to in retail.
Some banks can offer upto a £3000 overdraft interest free you don't have to pay back until 2 years after you've graduated, so that's an extra £1000 a year.
Also, are you sure you need an extra £4000? If your living at home you can solely get buy on just the loan, my boyfriend did it for 4 years... If you are planning on moving out, it's just about being sensible with your money.
Go to cheap clubs on the student nights, you won't be paying more than £10 a night. Shop in cheaper supermarkets with only things that are on offer and be creative with cooking you can get your weekly food for under £20. Try and cut any direct debits you have as they eat away at your bank account.
Original post by Patchey1000
Find me a £400 laptop that's not plastic, has 9 hour battery and an SSD?
I haven't found a mac with a longer battery life than 7 hours, and that cost £1100, and had a ridiculously small Hard Drive.
I was able to find a Laptop for £450 which had a better processor, more than double the hard drive, same ram, larger screen... I still wouldn't understand why people would pay an extra £550 for a few extra hours of battery life and an SSD... I mean for about £600-£700 pound you could definitely out do the Macbook air I found.
Also, to care so much that it's 'not plastic' just shows you must be an idiot, your pretty much saying that your paying for the fact it looks like a Mac and has the apple Logo on it. That's just a waste of money.
The only viable reason to buy a Mac would be if your going to be doing a lot to do with music recording and editing, and even then you can buy a cheaper PC, upgrade it and buy the software you need for cheaper than a mac would be.
Original post by CloClo7
I know the bit in bold, what gets me is the people on here who automatically assume thats the case with everyone.
As for the government paying, thats complete rubbish I'm afraid. You get a small amount given to you for 'residential purposes' you then have to fund your care package by yourselves. This amount rarely covers anything anyway. Its not so bad if they go into care because they are old, perhaps too unsteady to care for themselves adequately. Care homes also have different rates, and obviously the more complex the patients needs, the higher the charge. They can refuse to take a patient if they can't provide for them. There is some means testing, but it only results in a tiny amount of funding if you have medical needs which mean who have to be in a care home.
Plus it is only my granddad who is currently in care, so obviously the house can't be sold as then my nan would be left homeless (and they don't expect you to sell the house anyway...they used to but this is not the case anymore).
Its really complicated, I'm confusing myself. But in short we have to pay for it.
And tbh, even if we weren't, I don't WANT my parents to be helping me out finacially at university, and its annoys me when I see students getting handouts from their parents. To me, its time to grow up and so earn the money I need
As for the government paying, thats complete rubbish I'm afraid. You get a small amount given to you for 'residential purposes' you then have to fund your care package by yourselves. This amount rarely covers anything anyway. Its not so bad if they go into care because they are old, perhaps too unsteady to care for themselves adequately. Care homes also have different rates, and obviously the more complex the patients needs, the higher the charge. They can refuse to take a patient if they can't provide for them. There is some means testing, but it only results in a tiny amount of funding if you have medical needs which mean who have to be in a care home.
Plus it is only my granddad who is currently in care, so obviously the house can't be sold as then my nan would be left homeless (and they don't expect you to sell the house anyway...they used to but this is not the case anymore).
Its really complicated, I'm confusing myself. But in short we have to pay for it.
And tbh, even if we weren't, I don't WANT my parents to be helping me out finacially at university, and its annoys me when I see students getting handouts from their parents. To me, its time to grow up and so earn the money I need
Ok I obviously dont understand how the care system for the elderly works, so apologies for my ignorance.
If you want to struggle with money even if your parents can afford to help out, that's your choice I guess. My (and thankfully my dad's) attitude was that since my Dad's income prevented me getting much financial help, he should help out. He didn't want me to be living in poverty, and my Mum didn't want me to work (I should have focused on my studies apparently - probably she was overestimating how much work I needed to do but I wasnt complaining!) so he ended up giving me a fair amount. Not that I lived in luxury - didn't have an ensuite bathroom for example, and went for the smallest rooms in my student houses etc, but I could afford to go out etc. Also, not having to work during term time allowed me to do sports and be on the committee, giving me far more transferable skills for when I went job hunting than 10 hours a week at mcdonalds/the student bar would have given me. But I recognise I was lucky, and I did work every summer (and in 1st year at xmas and easter too) to make sure I had enough money to do all the things I wanted.
I don't get this attitude that once you're over 18 that's it, you're on your own. its just not how my family works I guess....for example when I was 22 I was going to buy a car on finance. My dad told me not to waste my money, and lent me the money and I pay it back interest free. Saved me thousands on interest. Likewise, I'm currently unemployed, I know that if I can't afford to live I can call my dad and he'll give me some money, rather than see me on the streets. I remember my Dad borrowing money from his Dad when he was in his 30s for a new car. At the end of the day, my parents chose to bring me in to this world, why, after 18 years would they cut me off without a penny?
Original post by pixie<3
But unfortunately they're not legally obliged to - they can refuse to give you any money.
I know, I was just answering the question "why do people assume your parents will help you if they earn over £60k?" The reason they assume that is because the government assumes it.
Original post by Rarrgh
I haven't found a mac with a longer battery life than 7 hours, and that cost £1100, and had a ridiculously small Hard Drive.
I was able to find a Laptop for £450 which had a better processor, more than double the hard drive, same ram, larger screen... I still wouldn't understand why people would pay an extra £550 for a few extra hours of battery life and an SSD... I mean for about £600-£700 pound you could definitely out do the Macbook air I found.
Also, to care so much that it's 'not plastic' just shows you must be an idiot, your pretty much saying that your paying for the fact it looks like a Mac and has the apple Logo on it. That's just a waste of money.
The only viable reason to buy a Mac would be if your going to be doing a lot to do with music recording and editing, and even then you can buy a cheaper PC, upgrade it and buy the software you need for cheaper than a mac would be.
I was able to find a Laptop for £450 which had a better processor, more than double the hard drive, same ram, larger screen... I still wouldn't understand why people would pay an extra £550 for a few extra hours of battery life and an SSD... I mean for about £600-£700 pound you could definitely out do the Macbook air I found.
Also, to care so much that it's 'not plastic' just shows you must be an idiot, your pretty much saying that your paying for the fact it looks like a Mac and has the apple Logo on it. That's just a waste of money.
The only viable reason to buy a Mac would be if your going to be doing a lot to do with music recording and editing, and even then you can buy a cheaper PC, upgrade it and buy the software you need for cheaper than a mac would be.
All this is relevant by the way - a laptop is increasingly essential to being a student, and when I see students just typing up Word documents on a £1000 Apple laptop, I really worry.
My friend has received the absolute minimum from student finance, but, as expected, her parents are paying her way. She lives in a premiere studio flat in private student halls but insists she's living as a "poor student" 
I think it is cases like these in which the parental income testing works. It'd be ridiculous to throw money at her. But in your case, the system has let you down.
In terms of family supporting me personally, I get very little. I get maybe £20 from my mum during times of extreme hardship for food (i.e. if my boyfriend and I have JUST been paid and everything has instantly gone on bills. £20 is a small amount for a month of food!) and it is possible to fund yourself, it just requires a lot of work, discipline and energy. I can't offer much good advice as obviously I'm not in your position but I do hope you get things sorted out.
I think it is cases like these in which the parental income testing works. It'd be ridiculous to throw money at her. But in your case, the system has let you down.In terms of family supporting me personally, I get very little. I get maybe £20 from my mum during times of extreme hardship for food (i.e. if my boyfriend and I have JUST been paid and everything has instantly gone on bills. £20 is a small amount for a month of food!) and it is possible to fund yourself, it just requires a lot of work, discipline and energy. I can't offer much good advice as obviously I'm not in your position but I do hope you get things sorted out.
i don't disagree with the government judging on parental income, i just think they should look at that plus a few extra details. for instance, any major illnesses in the family in the recent past which would lower income, major house repairs, multiple siblings (including how close together they'd enter university) plus extended family abroad that require assistance, mortgage, debt, and the big problem for me which would be the gap between financial assistance and the amount i need.
:/
:/
Original post by Patchey1000
Hopefully it'll be a MacBook air so yes, I hate ****ty laptops
But you like expensive ****ty laptops?
Okay, I think the laptop talk has caused some people to deviate from the actual subject of conversation.
Anyway, that aside I'm glad that I'm not the only person who is in this situation. It's not good that the system has us by the throats like this, but it's comforting to know there are people who are managing, and it doesnt mean that I'm in a situation that I can't work around.
I have been thinking about my situation, and my conclusion is that I am probably going to stay in my family home and study a part time foundation degree in business and management at the local uni (which I'm very lucky to say has the best business school in the South West, and working full time around that to fund living, and save up to move out/fund the final year top up.)
I'm sad that we live in such a capitalist world. Everyone is driven by money, and I'm damn sure that the majority of university courses aren't worth £9000. Theyre just putting all that extra money into funding their research.
Anyway, before I get into a rant about how disgracefully the economy is run I would just like to say thank your to everyone who contributed to answering my question, your answers and comments have been really helpful X
Anyway, that aside I'm glad that I'm not the only person who is in this situation. It's not good that the system has us by the throats like this, but it's comforting to know there are people who are managing, and it doesnt mean that I'm in a situation that I can't work around.
I have been thinking about my situation, and my conclusion is that I am probably going to stay in my family home and study a part time foundation degree in business and management at the local uni (which I'm very lucky to say has the best business school in the South West, and working full time around that to fund living, and save up to move out/fund the final year top up.)
I'm sad that we live in such a capitalist world. Everyone is driven by money, and I'm damn sure that the majority of university courses aren't worth £9000. Theyre just putting all that extra money into funding their research.
Anyway, before I get into a rant about how disgracefully the economy is run I would just like to say thank your to everyone who contributed to answering my question, your answers and comments have been really helpful
XOriginal post by Patchey1000
Find me a £400 laptop that's not plastic, has 9 hour battery and an SSD?
Why the hell would you need all that?
I mean ****ing hell the vast majority of students could survive on a Pentium4 pc with a 20gb HD.
What do you need that requires all that? Microsoft Word? Powerpoint, excel maybe publisher?
Unless you are doing a computer programming course, engineering, physics, 3D animation, Digital Art or anything that requires the use of a modern computer for CPU intensive applications e.g. Photoshop, modelling software etc.. You can basically survive on the basics.
**** all these people who say you need a laptop with 8gb ram and 1080p GPU the vast majority can do their self a favour and buy a 10 year old laptop for £50.
George R.R Martin uses Windows DOS and Wordstar.
(edited 12 years ago)
I am only eligible for the absolute minimum, the only difference is that when I start university my brother will still be at his university. That makes no difference to student finance apparently but it means my parents will be unable to help us less and we won't get much support from loans either.
The only way I can think of tackling this is to get a job as soon as possible now and try to maintain a job throughout university. I am prepared to get into debt but I want to be able to stay at least a float on living costs and socialising.
The only way I can think of tackling this is to get a job as soon as possible now and try to maintain a job throughout university. I am prepared to get into debt but I want to be able to stay at least a float on living costs and socialising.
I get the minimum (well minimum for London) and manage fine. Admittedly I'm not a very out going person at all so I barely spend anything anyway. I'm also the kind of person who is happy to go for the most basic accommodation. The money I have saved up from part time jobs will help too. My advice would be to look for jobs now.
Original post by laurie:)
i don't disagree with the government judging on parental income, i just think they should look at that plus a few extra details. for instance, any major illnesses in the family in the recent past which would lower income, major house repairs, multiple siblings (including how close together they'd enter university) plus extended family abroad that require assistance, mortgage, debt, and the big problem for me which would be the gap between financial assistance and the amount i need.
:/
:/
Absolutely agree.
I think I've sortof gone off on a rant on this thread, without saying what I really feel. I wouldn't disagree for the world that some people need the money more than me, I know of people that wouldn't stand a chance of getting to university without it. The system does need to be means tested, but other factors should be taken into account. I do think there should be a fairer system, but realistically thats going to be very difficult to do, and I'm not even sure its entirely possible.
What annoys me is I know someone who is getting the maximum, and his parents will still be supporting him (likewise he gets EMA, and £20+ a week pocket money). And on the other hand, I also agree that some people whose parents can quite clearly afford to support them shouldn't get any more than the minimum (i.e someone I know is having their parents pay tuition - they surely shouldn't need a loan).
So I agree with the idea of a means tested system, it just sort of needs finetuning to take into account different situations.
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