Managing Disability and the Finances of University
11
Was wondering if anyone could give me advice when it comes to being neurodivergent and dealing with the finances of university
Really sorry it’s so long. My main question is at the bottom for those (like me) who want to cry when having to read anything longer than a few words.
I have Dyslexia, ADHD and PMDD
Both my dyslexia and ADHD affect my ability to do school work. It often takes me a lot longer to complete work/study. I am very willing to put in this extra work. Currently at sixthform taking three subjects that all have both exams and coursework. I spend most of my time out of lessons doing work/study.
Side (ish) note I also have PMDD - a mental illness connected with menstruation that causes both serve physical and mental affects. (Basically really extreme PMS)
When looking at what financial aid I can get for university I am entitled to a Maintenance Loan and DSA (Disabled Students Allowance).
Based on the ‘Student finance calculator’ I am supposedly entitled to around £5,111.
Have no idea how much I may be entitled to for DSA. The way DSA works (to my understanding) is that the money can only be used on things for your disability. So I can only spend it on things that I need because of my Dyslexia and ADHD
Due to family circumstances I will receive no financial assistance from them
(I am basing this information off the financials of my current first choice for university)
The price of student accommodation in the area (I cannot afford to live in the university halls)
On average is £179 pw
With the lowest being around £115-120 and the highest being around £310-320
For a year this would be (average) £8,592
Assuming I receive the amount mentioned above in maintenance loans that would be £15,333 a year
So over the year after rent I would have £6741
Baring in mind I know some accommodation offer a lower rent during July/August (summer) but it’s unlikely I will be able to return home for any longer than a week.
So after rent on average I would have £561.75 a month
I come from a poor family and have no issue/am very good at living really cheap.
Ideally I would work part time. I mean who doesn’t need a little more money
But due to how my dyslexia and ADHD affects how long work/study takes me I find it hard to see how I would balance study and work. Especially with PMDD. I’ve worked part time before and my studies suffered massively
In the past I have been able to live off about £30 pounds a week for food shopping. (Though I wasn’t necessarily eating the way or the amount I should)
So this would be about £120 a month. Meaning I’d have a remaining £441.75
That alone is more than liveable. My issues is other things I have to buy e.g. Medical stuff, clothes, phone bill, travel etc add up very quickly especially the Medical stuff and Travel (DSA nor anything else will cover the medical stuff).
On top of this I often also cover/ partly cover a lot of family stuff e.g. my brothers school equipment, my dads and mums medication, medication and other necessities for family who live in a country experiencing war & terrorism, as well as often contributing to food shopping, bills and more. This is not something that will change when I go to university, without covering it, it would not be covered and these are all necessities.
My fear is with all of this I will have serious financial issues
This would probably be less of an issue if I were able to work part time. Assuming that I won’t. Does anyone know of any way that me not being able to work due to dyslexia and ADHD (meaning I take longer to do work/study) would make me eligible for any other form of financial aid. I’ve looked heavily and can’t find anything but was wondering if anyone had any ideas.
Or for anyone who has something that causes study/work to take longer and works part time. How do you balance the two?
Really sorry it’s so long. My main question is at the bottom for those (like me) who want to cry when having to read anything longer than a few words.
I have Dyslexia, ADHD and PMDD
Both my dyslexia and ADHD affect my ability to do school work. It often takes me a lot longer to complete work/study. I am very willing to put in this extra work. Currently at sixthform taking three subjects that all have both exams and coursework. I spend most of my time out of lessons doing work/study.
Side (ish) note I also have PMDD - a mental illness connected with menstruation that causes both serve physical and mental affects. (Basically really extreme PMS)
When looking at what financial aid I can get for university I am entitled to a Maintenance Loan and DSA (Disabled Students Allowance).
Based on the ‘Student finance calculator’ I am supposedly entitled to around £5,111.
Have no idea how much I may be entitled to for DSA. The way DSA works (to my understanding) is that the money can only be used on things for your disability. So I can only spend it on things that I need because of my Dyslexia and ADHD
Due to family circumstances I will receive no financial assistance from them
(I am basing this information off the financials of my current first choice for university)
The price of student accommodation in the area (I cannot afford to live in the university halls)
On average is £179 pw
With the lowest being around £115-120 and the highest being around £310-320
For a year this would be (average) £8,592
Assuming I receive the amount mentioned above in maintenance loans that would be £15,333 a year
So over the year after rent I would have £6741
Baring in mind I know some accommodation offer a lower rent during July/August (summer) but it’s unlikely I will be able to return home for any longer than a week.
So after rent on average I would have £561.75 a month
I come from a poor family and have no issue/am very good at living really cheap.
Ideally I would work part time. I mean who doesn’t need a little more money
But due to how my dyslexia and ADHD affects how long work/study takes me I find it hard to see how I would balance study and work. Especially with PMDD. I’ve worked part time before and my studies suffered massively
In the past I have been able to live off about £30 pounds a week for food shopping. (Though I wasn’t necessarily eating the way or the amount I should)
So this would be about £120 a month. Meaning I’d have a remaining £441.75
That alone is more than liveable. My issues is other things I have to buy e.g. Medical stuff, clothes, phone bill, travel etc add up very quickly especially the Medical stuff and Travel (DSA nor anything else will cover the medical stuff).
On top of this I often also cover/ partly cover a lot of family stuff e.g. my brothers school equipment, my dads and mums medication, medication and other necessities for family who live in a country experiencing war & terrorism, as well as often contributing to food shopping, bills and more. This is not something that will change when I go to university, without covering it, it would not be covered and these are all necessities.
My fear is with all of this I will have serious financial issues
This would probably be less of an issue if I were able to work part time. Assuming that I won’t. Does anyone know of any way that me not being able to work due to dyslexia and ADHD (meaning I take longer to do work/study) would make me eligible for any other form of financial aid. I’ve looked heavily and can’t find anything but was wondering if anyone had any ideas.
Or for anyone who has something that causes study/work to take longer and works part time. How do you balance the two?
Reply 1
Original post by MiaALD91
Was wondering if anyone could give me advice when it comes to being neurodivergent and dealing with the finances of university
Really sorry it’s so long. My main question is at the bottom for those (like me) who want to cry when having to read anything longer than a few words.
I have Dyslexia, ADHD and PMDD
Both my dyslexia and ADHD affect my ability to do school work. It often takes me a lot longer to complete work/study. I am very willing to put in this extra work. Currently at sixthform taking three subjects that all have both exams and coursework. I spend most of my time out of lessons doing work/study.
Side (ish) note I also have PMDD - a mental illness connected with menstruation that causes both serve physical and mental affects. (Basically really extreme PMS)
When looking at what financial aid I can get for university I am entitled to a Maintenance Loan and DSA (Disabled Students Allowance).
Based on the ‘Student finance calculator’ I am supposedly entitled to around £5,111.
Have no idea how much I may be entitled to for DSA. The way DSA works (to my understanding) is that the money can only be used on things for your disability. So I can only spend it on things that I need because of my Dyslexia and ADHD
Due to family circumstances I will receive no financial assistance from them
(I am basing this information off the financials of my current first choice for university)
The price of student accommodation in the area (I cannot afford to live in the university halls)
On average is £179 pw
With the lowest being around £115-120 and the highest being around £310-320
For a year this would be (average) £8,592
Assuming I receive the amount mentioned above in maintenance loans that would be £15,333 a year
So over the year after rent I would have £6741
Baring in mind I know some accommodation offer a lower rent during July/August (summer) but it’s unlikely I will be able to return home for any longer than a week.
So after rent on average I would have £561.75 a month
I come from a poor family and have no issue/am very good at living really cheap.
Ideally I would work part time. I mean who doesn’t need a little more money
But due to how my dyslexia and ADHD affects how long work/study takes me I find it hard to see how I would balance study and work. Especially with PMDD. I’ve worked part time before and my studies suffered massively
In the past I have been able to live off about £30 pounds a week for food shopping. (Though I wasn’t necessarily eating the way or the amount I should)
So this would be about £120 a month. Meaning I’d have a remaining £441.75
That alone is more than liveable. My issues is other things I have to buy e.g. Medical stuff, clothes, phone bill, travel etc add up very quickly especially the Medical stuff and Travel (DSA nor anything else will cover the medical stuff).
On top of this I often also cover/ partly cover a lot of family stuff e.g. my brothers school equipment, my dads and mums medication, medication and other necessities for family who live in a country experiencing war & terrorism, as well as often contributing to food shopping, bills and more. This is not something that will change when I go to university, without covering it, it would not be covered and these are all necessities.
My fear is with all of this I will have serious financial issues
This would probably be less of an issue if I were able to work part time. Assuming that I won’t. Does anyone know of any way that me not being able to work due to dyslexia and ADHD (meaning I take longer to do work/study) would make me eligible for any other form of financial aid. I’ve looked heavily and can’t find anything but was wondering if anyone had any ideas.
Or for anyone who has something that causes study/work to take longer and works part time. How do you balance the two?
Really sorry it’s so long. My main question is at the bottom for those (like me) who want to cry when having to read anything longer than a few words.
I have Dyslexia, ADHD and PMDD
Both my dyslexia and ADHD affect my ability to do school work. It often takes me a lot longer to complete work/study. I am very willing to put in this extra work. Currently at sixthform taking three subjects that all have both exams and coursework. I spend most of my time out of lessons doing work/study.
Side (ish) note I also have PMDD - a mental illness connected with menstruation that causes both serve physical and mental affects. (Basically really extreme PMS)
When looking at what financial aid I can get for university I am entitled to a Maintenance Loan and DSA (Disabled Students Allowance).
Based on the ‘Student finance calculator’ I am supposedly entitled to around £5,111.
Have no idea how much I may be entitled to for DSA. The way DSA works (to my understanding) is that the money can only be used on things for your disability. So I can only spend it on things that I need because of my Dyslexia and ADHD
Due to family circumstances I will receive no financial assistance from them
(I am basing this information off the financials of my current first choice for university)
The price of student accommodation in the area (I cannot afford to live in the university halls)
On average is £179 pw
With the lowest being around £115-120 and the highest being around £310-320
For a year this would be (average) £8,592
Assuming I receive the amount mentioned above in maintenance loans that would be £15,333 a year
So over the year after rent I would have £6741
Baring in mind I know some accommodation offer a lower rent during July/August (summer) but it’s unlikely I will be able to return home for any longer than a week.
So after rent on average I would have £561.75 a month
I come from a poor family and have no issue/am very good at living really cheap.
Ideally I would work part time. I mean who doesn’t need a little more money
But due to how my dyslexia and ADHD affects how long work/study takes me I find it hard to see how I would balance study and work. Especially with PMDD. I’ve worked part time before and my studies suffered massively
In the past I have been able to live off about £30 pounds a week for food shopping. (Though I wasn’t necessarily eating the way or the amount I should)
So this would be about £120 a month. Meaning I’d have a remaining £441.75
That alone is more than liveable. My issues is other things I have to buy e.g. Medical stuff, clothes, phone bill, travel etc add up very quickly especially the Medical stuff and Travel (DSA nor anything else will cover the medical stuff).
On top of this I often also cover/ partly cover a lot of family stuff e.g. my brothers school equipment, my dads and mums medication, medication and other necessities for family who live in a country experiencing war & terrorism, as well as often contributing to food shopping, bills and more. This is not something that will change when I go to university, without covering it, it would not be covered and these are all necessities.
My fear is with all of this I will have serious financial issues
This would probably be less of an issue if I were able to work part time. Assuming that I won’t. Does anyone know of any way that me not being able to work due to dyslexia and ADHD (meaning I take longer to do work/study) would make me eligible for any other form of financial aid. I’ve looked heavily and can’t find anything but was wondering if anyone had any ideas.
Or for anyone who has something that causes study/work to take longer and works part time. How do you balance the two?
Hi @MiaALD91,
These are all completely valid concerns to have, university can cause quite a lot of financial strains and worry for any student, so having disabilities and neurodivergence on top of that can sometimes make it feel almost impossible!
I am also a neurodiverse student, with other disabilities and mental health issues too, so I hope I am able to give you some useful advice and/or reassurance.
Firstly, for me personally DSA has been a lifesaver! If you apply for DSA at the same time as your student finance application (you can apply any time though, even halfway through the academic year) and are eligible, you will have a needs assessment. This is essentially a chat with a disability assessor who will go through the evidence you supply and ask you questions about how your disability affects you. They will then reccommend any equipment they feel would support you (some examples include a laptop (you have to pay a £200 contribution - but most unis have a reinbursement scheme), printer and recording equipment), assistive software, and non medical helper (usually a mentor or a study skills mentor). Just to clear up a quite common misconception - DSA funding goes directly into the equipment/assistance you recieve, so you dont actually see this money.
I would also really reccommend talking to the disability/wellbeing team at your uni. They can provide you more support and answer any more specific concerns/questions you have regarding both your studying and wellbeing at uni.
I also have ADHD so i feel the struggle of feeling like everything takes you 10 times longer than everyone else! If this is something you are particularly struggling with, you can often apply for special considerations such as an extension on a piece of coursework. It is also very likely you would be eligible for extra time in exams, which your disability team will be able to advise you on.
In terms of part time work, most unis have a student ambassador scheme. If you are a student ambassador, you will have the option to work one-off shifts at the uni, e.g., open days or other events. I have found this really useful for me, because I have not been able to hold down a part time job as well as studying, so it is good to be able to pick up some low commitment work if you feel you have enough time for it.
I am not sure in terms of financial support you could receive other than DSA and student finance. I would really reccommend you reaching out to the university and asking them about possible options. Lots of unis have a hardship fund scheme, or offer other financial support for students with other responsibilities such as caring for others.
I hope this answers some of your questions! Please feel free to reply with any other questions/concerns you have
Lily (UOS rep)
Reply 2
Original post by MiaALD91
Was wondering if anyone could give me advice when it comes to being neurodivergent and dealing with the finances of university
Really sorry it’s so long. My main question is at the bottom for those (like me) who want to cry when having to read anything longer than a few words.
I have Dyslexia, ADHD and PMDD
Both my dyslexia and ADHD affect my ability to do school work. It often takes me a lot longer to complete work/study. I am very willing to put in this extra work. Currently at sixthform taking three subjects that all have both exams and coursework. I spend most of my time out of lessons doing work/study.
Side (ish) note I also have PMDD - a mental illness connected with menstruation that causes both serve physical and mental affects. (Basically really extreme PMS)
When looking at what financial aid I can get for university I am entitled to a Maintenance Loan and DSA (Disabled Students Allowance).
Based on the ‘Student finance calculator’ I am supposedly entitled to around £5,111.
Have no idea how much I may be entitled to for DSA. The way DSA works (to my understanding) is that the money can only be used on things for your disability. So I can only spend it on things that I need because of my Dyslexia and ADHD
Due to family circumstances I will receive no financial assistance from them
(I am basing this information off the financials of my current first choice for university)
The price of student accommodation in the area (I cannot afford to live in the university halls)
On average is £179 pw
With the lowest being around £115-120 and the highest being around £310-320
For a year this would be (average) £8,592
Assuming I receive the amount mentioned above in maintenance loans that would be £15,333 a year
So over the year after rent I would have £6741
Baring in mind I know some accommodation offer a lower rent during July/August (summer) but it’s unlikely I will be able to return home for any longer than a week.
So after rent on average I would have £561.75 a month
I come from a poor family and have no issue/am very good at living really cheap.
Ideally I would work part time. I mean who doesn’t need a little more money
But due to how my dyslexia and ADHD affects how long work/study takes me I find it hard to see how I would balance study and work. Especially with PMDD. I’ve worked part time before and my studies suffered massively
In the past I have been able to live off about £30 pounds a week for food shopping. (Though I wasn’t necessarily eating the way or the amount I should)
So this would be about £120 a month. Meaning I’d have a remaining £441.75
That alone is more than liveable. My issues is other things I have to buy e.g. Medical stuff, clothes, phone bill, travel etc add up very quickly especially the Medical stuff and Travel (DSA nor anything else will cover the medical stuff).
On top of this I often also cover/ partly cover a lot of family stuff e.g. my brothers school equipment, my dads and mums medication, medication and other necessities for family who live in a country experiencing war & terrorism, as well as often contributing to food shopping, bills and more. This is not something that will change when I go to university, without covering it, it would not be covered and these are all necessities.
My fear is with all of this I will have serious financial issues
This would probably be less of an issue if I were able to work part time. Assuming that I won’t. Does anyone know of any way that me not being able to work due to dyslexia and ADHD (meaning I take longer to do work/study) would make me eligible for any other form of financial aid. I’ve looked heavily and can’t find anything but was wondering if anyone had any ideas.
Or for anyone who has something that causes study/work to take longer and works part time. How do you balance the two?
Really sorry it’s so long. My main question is at the bottom for those (like me) who want to cry when having to read anything longer than a few words.
I have Dyslexia, ADHD and PMDD
Both my dyslexia and ADHD affect my ability to do school work. It often takes me a lot longer to complete work/study. I am very willing to put in this extra work. Currently at sixthform taking three subjects that all have both exams and coursework. I spend most of my time out of lessons doing work/study.
Side (ish) note I also have PMDD - a mental illness connected with menstruation that causes both serve physical and mental affects. (Basically really extreme PMS)
When looking at what financial aid I can get for university I am entitled to a Maintenance Loan and DSA (Disabled Students Allowance).
Based on the ‘Student finance calculator’ I am supposedly entitled to around £5,111.
Have no idea how much I may be entitled to for DSA. The way DSA works (to my understanding) is that the money can only be used on things for your disability. So I can only spend it on things that I need because of my Dyslexia and ADHD
Due to family circumstances I will receive no financial assistance from them
(I am basing this information off the financials of my current first choice for university)
The price of student accommodation in the area (I cannot afford to live in the university halls)
On average is £179 pw
With the lowest being around £115-120 and the highest being around £310-320
For a year this would be (average) £8,592
Assuming I receive the amount mentioned above in maintenance loans that would be £15,333 a year
So over the year after rent I would have £6741
Baring in mind I know some accommodation offer a lower rent during July/August (summer) but it’s unlikely I will be able to return home for any longer than a week.
So after rent on average I would have £561.75 a month
I come from a poor family and have no issue/am very good at living really cheap.
Ideally I would work part time. I mean who doesn’t need a little more money
But due to how my dyslexia and ADHD affects how long work/study takes me I find it hard to see how I would balance study and work. Especially with PMDD. I’ve worked part time before and my studies suffered massively
In the past I have been able to live off about £30 pounds a week for food shopping. (Though I wasn’t necessarily eating the way or the amount I should)
So this would be about £120 a month. Meaning I’d have a remaining £441.75
That alone is more than liveable. My issues is other things I have to buy e.g. Medical stuff, clothes, phone bill, travel etc add up very quickly especially the Medical stuff and Travel (DSA nor anything else will cover the medical stuff).
On top of this I often also cover/ partly cover a lot of family stuff e.g. my brothers school equipment, my dads and mums medication, medication and other necessities for family who live in a country experiencing war & terrorism, as well as often contributing to food shopping, bills and more. This is not something that will change when I go to university, without covering it, it would not be covered and these are all necessities.
My fear is with all of this I will have serious financial issues
This would probably be less of an issue if I were able to work part time. Assuming that I won’t. Does anyone know of any way that me not being able to work due to dyslexia and ADHD (meaning I take longer to do work/study) would make me eligible for any other form of financial aid. I’ve looked heavily and can’t find anything but was wondering if anyone had any ideas.
Or for anyone who has something that causes study/work to take longer and works part time. How do you balance the two?
You've done some good research and calculations on your budget. However, you should be aware that when it comes to asking for discretionary funds, ie not things you have an entitlement to, but hardship funds etc, then they will absolutely not take into account giving money to your close or wider family. You will need to stop doing that, if you want to claim hardship funds. Otherwise, what effectively is happening, is that the uni hardship funds are paying for your parents shopping etc. This is the way any 'means tested' funds work.
Reply 3
MiaALD91
OP
11
Hey thank you for this
Just to say I would never spend any form of financial aid I received on anything other than what it is intended for
This is something my family always drilled into me. E.g. My family at a point recieved universal credit. This was only ever used on food, clothing and other necessities. My dad at a point recieved DLA. This was only ever used on support braces, movement aids and other things relating to his disability.
Any money that is not my own (money from work, birthday, Christmas etc) would never be spent on anything than what it is intended for
I want to figure this out with as much accuracy as I can by looking into what financial aid I can receive such as DSA, so I can figure out what aspects of Uni/Life based on my situation finical aid can cover. Then from that I will have an accurate picture of what I would need to cover with my own funds.
I plan to continue what I have done for many years which is essentially like being a handyman (handywoman? I don’t know 😭. A handy person). I will often do odd jobs for people I know at a lower price than a company would charge (I swear it isn’t as dodge as it sounds 😭) This has been a large range of things; basic plumbing, basic electrical work, basic car maintenance, teaching kids to swim, BSL interpretation (to clarify I am not a certified interpreter nor would ever claim to be I have a lot of deaf friends and their families have asked me to interpret for them. Something I would happily do for free and sometimes they end up giving me a few pounds. More like the way you give kids money for chores) teaching kids how to safely ride bikes on the road, shifting or putting together furniture, teaching (mainly) kids how to climb with rope (I’m a certified climbing instructor), baby sitting, painting and a bunch of other stuff. I find this a lot better than a set job as it allows me to do it around my schedule.
My top Uni choice is a place far from where I live but where my dad’s family are from and live. I spent half my childhood there so already know a lot of people. So ideally wouldn’t have any issue picking this up there as it’s usually just for people I know, or have some connection too (like a neighbour)
This is the money I use to assist my family. To clarify though I have to do contribute to shopping, bills etc. The most important thing that is always prioritised is sending money to family for medication. My family live in a war torn country with little to no access to medical care. Three have life threatening conditions that need constant medication. I’m not the only one who funds this medication but I am the main person. At the end of the day if my family can’t buy shopping, food banks exist and are something we’ve had to use many times before. But there is no safety net for my family who need this medication.
I would never spend any finical aid on this though, anything I have ever sent or would send to family is either money I’ve earned, saved or been gifted.
On top of this, the work I mentioned above is obviously not any form of official employment, I am usually paid through card not cash (any cash I do receive is normally elderly neighbours who don’t “trust those bank application things”😅).
I am fully aware there are situations where people work for cash meaning they are able to apply for aid they wouldn’t otherwise receive if they declared their cash earnings.
I would never apply for any finical aid I would only receive due to this same idea (technically working and being paid but not being officially employed/ being paid in cash meaning your income appears lower than it is). So that means I would never receive finical aid purely becuase money I have earned has been sent to family.
All I am looking to do is see what I am entitled to due to my situation (such as DSA because of having a disability) so I can then figure out what I will need to cover with my own funds, plan accordingly and correctly manage my money.
My main plan at the moment is. 1. For money I do give to family is to restrict it (basically so I only fund what is a life or death necessity) and to fund this from my “before uni savings”, essentially I plan to have two savings one being my current one I will continue to add to until I start uni and then a separate one I start to fund while I’m at Uni so any situation where I’m low on money in Uni would come out of this. Two, save gift money (birthdays, Christmas etc) and use this for the occasional important thing like vital school equipment for my brother (to be honest out of me and him. He’s incredibly smart and is going far more places than me. He really deserves a chance).
When calculating my opinions this appeared to be the best one. It would mean no finical aid I receive would be used on anything but what it is intended for and that I would never receive finical aid or more finical aid because of money I give to family or because my earnings are “unofficial” work
The main issue I have found is travel. Though I can walk and do whenever I can, I cannot walk long distances. I would likely live to far from uni to walk meaning I’d have to use public transport (I cannot afford driving lessons let alone a car) I am also a long term patient at two London hospitals where I have (semi) regular appointments. I have spoken repeatedly to my doctors about the possibility of being transferred to a hospital closer to whatever uni I would go to. This is absolutely not an option meaning I would have to travel on the train two and from (as I’m sure we all know. This ain’t cheap). Assuming I went to my first choice for uni. A return ticket would be around £100 - £150. This is obviously a lot to cover and I typically have around 2 appointments a month. That around £3,000 a year.
Personally I’ve found money always comes down to the small charges. Just looking at what travel would be a nessesity. A bus or train ride to and from uni, monthly pharmacy trips for medication, food shopping (assuming there isn’t one within walking distance), GP appointments (due to medical issues I have check ups though not super often), Opticians (This is only around every 3 months due to a degenerative eye condition).
Factor onto that other necessities (others may not have). Contact lenses (obviously glasses exist but part of the my eye is some medical stuff I don’t understand 😭. That is not as effective with glasses and in the long run would cost more as I’d have to have more regular appointments and constant changes in prescription), joint braces, “gym equipment” for physio and a bunch of other stuff.
This stuff is medical/for medical reasons and something I know I cannot receive aid to cover. Which is why I’m mostly trying to figure out if there’s anything to help with travel.
I am struggling to figure out if there is any type of aid that might assist with this. None of my stuff other than dyslexia and ADHD are covered under a DLA or DSA. Though one of the issues may be covered by PIP, previous research into this seems to indicate I’d likely be rejected, though my doctors would provide evidence of a condition they are yet to figure out what condition I actually have meaning there is no formal diagnosis as it is also a condition that fluctuates, PIP historically does not react well to this. I’ve gone through a PIP application for a family member before and the whole thing is mental.
Just to say I would never spend any form of financial aid I received on anything other than what it is intended for
This is something my family always drilled into me. E.g. My family at a point recieved universal credit. This was only ever used on food, clothing and other necessities. My dad at a point recieved DLA. This was only ever used on support braces, movement aids and other things relating to his disability.
Any money that is not my own (money from work, birthday, Christmas etc) would never be spent on anything than what it is intended for
I want to figure this out with as much accuracy as I can by looking into what financial aid I can receive such as DSA, so I can figure out what aspects of Uni/Life based on my situation finical aid can cover. Then from that I will have an accurate picture of what I would need to cover with my own funds.
I plan to continue what I have done for many years which is essentially like being a handyman (handywoman? I don’t know 😭. A handy person). I will often do odd jobs for people I know at a lower price than a company would charge (I swear it isn’t as dodge as it sounds 😭) This has been a large range of things; basic plumbing, basic electrical work, basic car maintenance, teaching kids to swim, BSL interpretation (to clarify I am not a certified interpreter nor would ever claim to be I have a lot of deaf friends and their families have asked me to interpret for them. Something I would happily do for free and sometimes they end up giving me a few pounds. More like the way you give kids money for chores) teaching kids how to safely ride bikes on the road, shifting or putting together furniture, teaching (mainly) kids how to climb with rope (I’m a certified climbing instructor), baby sitting, painting and a bunch of other stuff. I find this a lot better than a set job as it allows me to do it around my schedule.
My top Uni choice is a place far from where I live but where my dad’s family are from and live. I spent half my childhood there so already know a lot of people. So ideally wouldn’t have any issue picking this up there as it’s usually just for people I know, or have some connection too (like a neighbour)
This is the money I use to assist my family. To clarify though I have to do contribute to shopping, bills etc. The most important thing that is always prioritised is sending money to family for medication. My family live in a war torn country with little to no access to medical care. Three have life threatening conditions that need constant medication. I’m not the only one who funds this medication but I am the main person. At the end of the day if my family can’t buy shopping, food banks exist and are something we’ve had to use many times before. But there is no safety net for my family who need this medication.
I would never spend any finical aid on this though, anything I have ever sent or would send to family is either money I’ve earned, saved or been gifted.
On top of this, the work I mentioned above is obviously not any form of official employment, I am usually paid through card not cash (any cash I do receive is normally elderly neighbours who don’t “trust those bank application things”😅).
I am fully aware there are situations where people work for cash meaning they are able to apply for aid they wouldn’t otherwise receive if they declared their cash earnings.
I would never apply for any finical aid I would only receive due to this same idea (technically working and being paid but not being officially employed/ being paid in cash meaning your income appears lower than it is). So that means I would never receive finical aid purely becuase money I have earned has been sent to family.
All I am looking to do is see what I am entitled to due to my situation (such as DSA because of having a disability) so I can then figure out what I will need to cover with my own funds, plan accordingly and correctly manage my money.
My main plan at the moment is. 1. For money I do give to family is to restrict it (basically so I only fund what is a life or death necessity) and to fund this from my “before uni savings”, essentially I plan to have two savings one being my current one I will continue to add to until I start uni and then a separate one I start to fund while I’m at Uni so any situation where I’m low on money in Uni would come out of this. Two, save gift money (birthdays, Christmas etc) and use this for the occasional important thing like vital school equipment for my brother (to be honest out of me and him. He’s incredibly smart and is going far more places than me. He really deserves a chance).
When calculating my opinions this appeared to be the best one. It would mean no finical aid I receive would be used on anything but what it is intended for and that I would never receive finical aid or more finical aid because of money I give to family or because my earnings are “unofficial” work
The main issue I have found is travel. Though I can walk and do whenever I can, I cannot walk long distances. I would likely live to far from uni to walk meaning I’d have to use public transport (I cannot afford driving lessons let alone a car) I am also a long term patient at two London hospitals where I have (semi) regular appointments. I have spoken repeatedly to my doctors about the possibility of being transferred to a hospital closer to whatever uni I would go to. This is absolutely not an option meaning I would have to travel on the train two and from (as I’m sure we all know. This ain’t cheap). Assuming I went to my first choice for uni. A return ticket would be around £100 - £150. This is obviously a lot to cover and I typically have around 2 appointments a month. That around £3,000 a year.
Personally I’ve found money always comes down to the small charges. Just looking at what travel would be a nessesity. A bus or train ride to and from uni, monthly pharmacy trips for medication, food shopping (assuming there isn’t one within walking distance), GP appointments (due to medical issues I have check ups though not super often), Opticians (This is only around every 3 months due to a degenerative eye condition).
Factor onto that other necessities (others may not have). Contact lenses (obviously glasses exist but part of the my eye is some medical stuff I don’t understand 😭. That is not as effective with glasses and in the long run would cost more as I’d have to have more regular appointments and constant changes in prescription), joint braces, “gym equipment” for physio and a bunch of other stuff.
This stuff is medical/for medical reasons and something I know I cannot receive aid to cover. Which is why I’m mostly trying to figure out if there’s anything to help with travel.
I am struggling to figure out if there is any type of aid that might assist with this. None of my stuff other than dyslexia and ADHD are covered under a DLA or DSA. Though one of the issues may be covered by PIP, previous research into this seems to indicate I’d likely be rejected, though my doctors would provide evidence of a condition they are yet to figure out what condition I actually have meaning there is no formal diagnosis as it is also a condition that fluctuates, PIP historically does not react well to this. I’ve gone through a PIP application for a family member before and the whole thing is mental.
Reply 4
MiaALD91
OP
11
Original post by threeportdrift
You've done some good research and calculations on your budget. However, you should be aware that when it comes to asking for discretionary funds, ie not things you have an entitlement to, but hardship funds etc, then they will absolutely not take into account giving money to your close or wider family. You will need to stop doing that, if you want to claim hardship funds. Otherwise, what effectively is happening, is that the uni hardship funds are paying for your parents shopping etc. This is the way any 'means tested' funds work.
Hey thank you for your response.
I have just replied with a message in response to what you said but it I must of not hit reply on your comment as it is been posted just in the general response section on this post. It should be just below your comment. It was posted just a few seconds before this.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Will Student finance fund me as an external applicant
- Rheumatoid Arthritis and DSA
- Second degree funding
- Mature student looking for advice/inspiration.
- Chances of getting Maintenance Loan with Open University
- How do Universal Credit and Student Loan work together?
- Dsa for part-time online masters?
- Any tips for how to get back into education after a break?
- Student Finance queries
- Will student Finance Fund me help
- SFE and Special Support Loan
- What it's really like studying at uni
- Is DSA paid with normal loan?
- Home educated dependant
- Help! Failing uni because of potential adhd
- Universal credit
- What it's really like studying at uni
- MA social work
- Do you have to repay DSA if you withdraw from university?
- BA in social work
Latest
Trending
Last reply 3 months ago
Receiving DSA Travel Allowance for the first time. How does it work?
