Anyone here go to uni?

[mrsp14]

So my and DH are separating. We currently live in Saudi so its separate bedrooms for now but once we've worked everything out and go back to the UK we'll be living separately. I'm currently studying with the open university so I'm now wondering if I could maybe transfer to brick uni. But I don't know this would effect stuff like housing benefit etc. I am studying to become a teacher so until then I'll need to claim what I can get (not sure on all that yet).
So after any advice really?

 

[Ceejay123]

I'm not a single mummy - but because I'm under 25 and unmarried (other half is also a student) I'm classed as a lone parent. I can advise you on student finance and such if you need it feel free to pm me x

 

[Mummy1995]

Not yet but going in march x

 

[SingleStudent]

Hey - I am a single parent (5 year old & 12 weeks pregnant) and a student going into my third (and final) year of a BA (Hons) International Business Degree. I know how this sounds but being a single parent is actually a good thing if your a student. You are entitled to a maintenance loan and grant, parents learning allowance, special support grant and also 85% of your childcare covered and I am also entitled to income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, child benefit and tax credits which actually makes be better off then quite a few working couples I know. Universities also usually offer a bursary to students (mine is £750) and they also usually have funds available to students who are struggling (these funds are prioritized to single parents, disabled and third year students, mine uni calls it an access fund).

I have always been a single parent and I gave up my career to gain some qualifications so I can provide a better life for my son. The government paid for my access course and all my childcare and my student loan and benefits now cover all living expenses whilst I complete my degree. The childcare grant also allowed me to send my child to one of the top prep schools in the country at 3 and the fund paid 85% of all costs until he reached 5 which was August. I therefore have had two years of private education for my son for a quarter of the fees - I now pay the full fees out of my student loan. My bump is due in April and my course is due to finish in May. I am also applying to do my Masters degree to commence in October 2014 as this will give me May-Oct with the baby and then another year studying so I can be at home more. I believe students are entitled to up to 4 years of student finance and if you do nursing or something like that I think the NHS gives out grants.
I would definitely recommend going to uni if your a single parent but I will warn you that you'll need a degree to navigate the Student Finance application process. It is a total nightmare but worth it if your trying to better yourself with education!!
If you want any advice please message me xx

 

[daneuse27]

I'm studying to be a teacher right now. I'm a single parent, live alone with my 1 year old daughter. She goes to daycare while I'm at school, and she's all mine the rest of the time. Its hard, but well worth it. Im in Canada, so I cant give you too much specific info on the UK - but the previous poster was right about there being a lot of help out there for you to do it. My daughter's daycare is 100% subsidized, I get child tax credits, bursary, and some other parent study relief funds. I honestly think that financially, its easier to do this now rather than before I had a child.

I already had a BA, and the government only covered 5% of my loan then. Now that Im going to teachers college for one year, the government is supposedly covering 60% of my loan and Im pretty sure its because I was classified as a sole-support parent.

 

[Dezireey]

Me too! My previous job was in assessing NVQs and tutoring classes but now I am a single mummy the best way forward is to get into teaching as the pay is higher. I have applied to the Open University but now need student finance ( applied at direct.gov.uk and accessed form PT51) so have filled that in and sending off for funding my course which starts in April ( missed October start date)

Apart from funding my degree course and me being home with LO for the next few years is there anywhere else that I need to apply to for help?

Singlestudent, can I pm you hun?

 

[SingleStudent]

Feel free to PM me and I'll help if I can....

 

[mrsp14]

Hey - I am a single parent (5 year old & 12 weeks pregnant) and a student going into my third (and final) year of a BA (Hons) International Business Degree. I know how this sounds but being a single parent is actually a good thing if your a student. You are entitled to a maintenance loan and grant, parents learning allowance, special support grant and also 85% of your childcare covered and I am also entitled to income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, child benefit and tax credits which actually makes be better off then quite a few working couples I know. Universities also usually offer a bursary to students (mine is £750) and they also usually have funds available to students who are struggling (these funds are prioritized to single parents, disabled and third year students, mine uni calls it an access fund).

I have always been a single parent and I gave up my career to gain some qualifications so I can provide a better life for my son. The government paid for my access course and all my childcare and my student loan and benefits now cover all living expenses whilst I complete my degree. The childcare grant also allowed me to send my child to one of the top prep schools in the country at 3 and the fund paid 85% of all costs until he reached 5 which was August. I therefore have had two years of private education for my son for a quarter of the fees - I now pay the full fees out of my student loan. My bump is due in April and my course is due to finish in May. I am also applying to do my Masters degree to commence in October 2014 as this will give me May-Oct with the baby and then another year studying so I can be at home more. I believe students are entitled to up to 4 years of student finance and if you do nursing or something like that I think the NHS gives out grants.
I would definitely recommend going to uni if your a single parent but I will warn you that you'll need a degree to navigate the Student Finance application process. It is a total nightmare but worth it if your trying to better yourself with education!!
If you want any advice please message me xx

Well this makes me feel much more hopeful. I was thinking I couldn't do it and still survive so I'd carry on with Open University. I was panicking about how if fit study in that way!! But from what you've said here it looks like we'd be better off all round
Quite excited now!!!

 

[Dream.dream]

I've been a single mom since my son was both and graduated high school and have completed a diploma in graphic design and have just finished my paralegal degree .

It's a lot of work I won't lie especially along with living in your own and being mom and dad but it's worth it !

 

[WantingABubba]

Student Nurse here!