Support for single parents already with a degree?
I am a single parent of a 4 year old. I studied for a degree and PGCE to become a teacher, but since having a child I have quite bad postpartum mental health and can no longer work with children all day and then take care of a child single handedly after work and do all the extra work evenings and weekends with a child running around.
I have therefore been on Universal Credit since I had a baby and really wish I could retrain in something like counselling so I could start a new career. I heard there is funding support for single parents but I assume with a degree already I would not be eligible. Can anyone confirm this? That I can't get support with an existing degree. Thank you
I have therefore been on Universal Credit since I had a baby and really wish I could retrain in something like counselling so I could start a new career. I heard there is funding support for single parents but I assume with a degree already I would not be eligible. Can anyone confirm this? That I can't get support with an existing degree. Thank you
Reply 1
Do you live in Scotland? I ask because I know a little more about counselling courses and employability support here.
The main emphasis with Universal Credit is for the recipient to take up any kind of employment that they are capable and able to do, to be realistic about opportunities they can move into in the near future.
This is in contrast to postponing their entry into the workplace with long courses that will not necessarily increase their employability and which detracts from their work search activities.
A lone parent with a child of that age will be expected to take up employment of up to 30 hours per week.
That said, your Work Coach does have access to a discretionary flexible funding scheme (strict criteria to remove an immediate/short term barriers to work), can refer you to employability support organisations, and can add to your work plan/commitments useful voluntary work experience.
The main emphasis with Universal Credit is for the recipient to take up any kind of employment that they are capable and able to do, to be realistic about opportunities they can move into in the near future.
This is in contrast to postponing their entry into the workplace with long courses that will not necessarily increase their employability and which detracts from their work search activities.
A lone parent with a child of that age will be expected to take up employment of up to 30 hours per week.
That said, your Work Coach does have access to a discretionary flexible funding scheme (strict criteria to remove an immediate/short term barriers to work), can refer you to employability support organisations, and can add to your work plan/commitments useful voluntary work experience.
Reply 2
Original post by Anonymous
Do you live in Scotland? I ask because I know a little more about counselling courses and employability support here.
The main emphasis with Universal Credit is for the recipient to take up any kind of employment that they are capable and able to do, to be realistic about opportunities they can move into in the near future.
This is in contrast to postponing their entry into the workplace with long courses that will not necessarily increase their employability and which detracts from their work search activities.
A lone parent with a child of that age will be expected to take up employment of up to 30 hours per week.
That said, your Work Coach does have access to a discretionary flexible funding scheme (strict criteria to remove an immediate/short term barriers to work), can refer you to employability support organisations, and can add to your work plan/commitments useful voluntary work experience.
The main emphasis with Universal Credit is for the recipient to take up any kind of employment that they are capable and able to do, to be realistic about opportunities they can move into in the near future.
This is in contrast to postponing their entry into the workplace with long courses that will not necessarily increase their employability and which detracts from their work search activities.
A lone parent with a child of that age will be expected to take up employment of up to 30 hours per week.
That said, your Work Coach does have access to a discretionary flexible funding scheme (strict criteria to remove an immediate/short term barriers to work), can refer you to employability support organisations, and can add to your work plan/commitments useful voluntary work experience.
Hi. I meant funding as in he ability to get a student loans and grants from the university, not from universal credit... when people apply to university as a single parent they get assessed by student finance and can get loans, scholarships etc.
But my question is can a student get the same help if they already did a degree.
Universal credit has nothing to do with the student finance in england. I wanted to know if single parents can get the same support or is it only for people with no education. Many thanks for reading
Reply 3
Open University offers a Bsc in Counselling that is present on the approved list by SFE even if the applicant has had a previous loan.
Find their website on Loans for degree holders in England.
From their website
Key facts
You can apply for a loan to cover tuition fees if:
the degree you want to study is in an approved subject
your degree started on or after 1st September 2017
you meet the rest of the eligibility criteria for a tuition fee loan.
The loan is awarded by Student Finance England and you'll apply through them.
The Open University
Menu
England. Change location
Site Accessibility: Undergraduate
Courses Fees and funding Tuition fee loan
Part-Time Tuition Fee Loans in England
One way of financing your Open University studies is by taking out a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (also known as a student loan) with Student Finance England.
It's by far the most popular way of financing Open University studies. Currently, over 80% of our new students in England are paying their fees this way.
What is a Tuition Fee Loan?
A tuition fee loan will cover the entirety of your module tuition fees.
You’ll apply for a loan to fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to finance your whole qualification upfront.
They are not means-tested, so you can apply regardless of income.
You can apply whether you have a job or not.
There’s no upper age limit.
You’ll apply for your loan from Student Finance England, who will pay your fees directly to us.
How do the repayments work?
Repayments are linked to your income, not how much you borrow.
You only start repaying your loan when your salary exceeds the income threshold, currently £25,000.
You’ll repay 9% of what you earn over £25,000 – so if you earn £27,000, you’ll repay only £180 that year (9% of £2,000). That's just £15.00 per month.
Your employer deducts your repayments automatically through the UK tax system.
The following table gives example repayment amounts (for illustrative purposes only):
Income each year before tax Monthly repayment
Up to £25,000 £0
£27,000 £15.00
£30,000 £37.50
Nothing to pay for up to four years
Even if you’re earning over the income threshold, you won’t have to start repaying your loan for up to four years.
Here’s how it works for our most popular qualifications:
Qualification Years to complete When your loan repayments start
Degree with honours 6 years part-time study
3 years full-time study 4 years after course start
Up to 1 year after you finish the course
Diploma of Higher Education 4 years part-time study
2 years full-time study 4 years after course start
Up to 1 year after you finish the course
Certificate of Higher Education 2 years part-time study
1 year full-time study Up to 1 year after you finish the course
Up to 1 year after you finish the course
Please note: if you finish your course or leave it early, you’ll start repaying your loan the first April after you leave the course.
What about interest?
The interest rate will be based on the RPI (Retail Price Index).
However, as the amount you pay back is based on how much you earn and not how much you owe, the amount of interest added to your loan won’t ever affect the amount you pay each month.
If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 40 years, it will be written off, and your monthly payments will stop.
I already have a degree; am I eligible?
If you’re looking to re-skill in subjects such as science, computing or mathematics, you may be eligible for a loan to study for a further honours degree.
To see a list of eligible qualifications, visit our Loans for degree holders in England page.
How to apply
First, register with us for the qualification you'd like to study. Next, choose your modules and tell us you'll be applying for a loan. Then, online via Student Finance England*, apply for a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan starting in the 2024/25 academic year. You’ll apply for a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan even if you plan to study at a full-time equivalent rate of 120 credits per year.
You'll have to set up a Student Finance online account, but this is quick and easy to do. The application process should take about 15 minutes, and you'll need to give details about your proof of residency and identity. It'll help to have your passport details and National Insurance number on hand.
It can take Student Finance England up to eight weeks to finalise applications, so apply as early as possible to ensure your funding is in place in time to start your course.
Learn more with our step-by-step guide to applying for a Tuition Fee Loan.
*We anticipate that Student Finance England will be open for online loan applications for the 2024/25 academic year in May 2024.
Find their website on Loans for degree holders in England.
From their website
Key facts
You can apply for a loan to cover tuition fees if:
the degree you want to study is in an approved subject
your degree started on or after 1st September 2017
you meet the rest of the eligibility criteria for a tuition fee loan.
The loan is awarded by Student Finance England and you'll apply through them.
The Open University
Menu
England. Change location
Site Accessibility: Undergraduate
Courses Fees and funding Tuition fee loan
Part-Time Tuition Fee Loans in England
One way of financing your Open University studies is by taking out a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (also known as a student loan) with Student Finance England.
It's by far the most popular way of financing Open University studies. Currently, over 80% of our new students in England are paying their fees this way.
What is a Tuition Fee Loan?
A tuition fee loan will cover the entirety of your module tuition fees.
You’ll apply for a loan to fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to finance your whole qualification upfront.
They are not means-tested, so you can apply regardless of income.
You can apply whether you have a job or not.
There’s no upper age limit.
You’ll apply for your loan from Student Finance England, who will pay your fees directly to us.
How do the repayments work?
Repayments are linked to your income, not how much you borrow.
You only start repaying your loan when your salary exceeds the income threshold, currently £25,000.
You’ll repay 9% of what you earn over £25,000 – so if you earn £27,000, you’ll repay only £180 that year (9% of £2,000). That's just £15.00 per month.
Your employer deducts your repayments automatically through the UK tax system.
The following table gives example repayment amounts (for illustrative purposes only):
Income each year before tax Monthly repayment
Up to £25,000 £0
£27,000 £15.00
£30,000 £37.50
Nothing to pay for up to four years
Even if you’re earning over the income threshold, you won’t have to start repaying your loan for up to four years.
Here’s how it works for our most popular qualifications:
Qualification Years to complete When your loan repayments start
Degree with honours 6 years part-time study
3 years full-time study 4 years after course start
Up to 1 year after you finish the course
Diploma of Higher Education 4 years part-time study
2 years full-time study 4 years after course start
Up to 1 year after you finish the course
Certificate of Higher Education 2 years part-time study
1 year full-time study Up to 1 year after you finish the course
Up to 1 year after you finish the course
Please note: if you finish your course or leave it early, you’ll start repaying your loan the first April after you leave the course.
What about interest?
The interest rate will be based on the RPI (Retail Price Index).
However, as the amount you pay back is based on how much you earn and not how much you owe, the amount of interest added to your loan won’t ever affect the amount you pay each month.
If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 40 years, it will be written off, and your monthly payments will stop.
I already have a degree; am I eligible?
If you’re looking to re-skill in subjects such as science, computing or mathematics, you may be eligible for a loan to study for a further honours degree.
To see a list of eligible qualifications, visit our Loans for degree holders in England page.
How to apply
First, register with us for the qualification you'd like to study. Next, choose your modules and tell us you'll be applying for a loan. Then, online via Student Finance England*, apply for a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan starting in the 2024/25 academic year. You’ll apply for a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan even if you plan to study at a full-time equivalent rate of 120 credits per year.
You'll have to set up a Student Finance online account, but this is quick and easy to do. The application process should take about 15 minutes, and you'll need to give details about your proof of residency and identity. It'll help to have your passport details and National Insurance number on hand.
It can take Student Finance England up to eight weeks to finalise applications, so apply as early as possible to ensure your funding is in place in time to start your course.
Learn more with our step-by-step guide to applying for a Tuition Fee Loan.
*We anticipate that Student Finance England will be open for online loan applications for the 2024/25 academic year in May 2024.
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