Financial help whilst studying?

[BellaBoo0512]

After months of applying for 30+ jobs a week and getting no where I have decided to go back to my original plan of going to college.

Because I get £11 a week housing benefit (I don't actually receive this because of a big overpayment but on paper I still claim it) I will get the course for free. The course consists of 2 days a week placement and 3 hours in college. I'll be going to college one evening a week so OH will be able to look after LO. For the 2 days I have no option but to put LO into nursery. The college said they will pay 70% nursery fees which will leave me about £25 to pay myself. I'll also need a bus pass as I don't drive, they are around £20 a week.

At the moment our weekly income after bills and rent we are left with £65 to get food shopping and nappies. I've cut back on everything I possibly can and this is the most we are left with.

That means that if I go back to college we will only be left with about £20 which just isn't possible to live off. I really want to go to college but don't have any relatives that could look after LO for me.

Does anyone know if my tax credits will go up if I go to college? Or if there is any other help available? I'm looking for a part time evening/weekend job to help out whilst I'm at college but I've been literally applying for everything I can and I've only had 1 interview and was unsuccessful

 

[lucy_smith]

Contact the college, they will e able to let you know what funding is available

 

[BellaBoo0512]

I've already contacted them and they will help with 70% childcare.

 

[jd83]

Are you not able to borrow additional loan amounts to help with expenses while you are in school? When I was in college, I had to borrow additional student loan amounts to cover some living expenses as well, since I wasn't able to work enough hours while in school full time to cover all my living expenses. Obviously it makes for bigger student loan payments that I owe now, but I needed that extra money to get through school.I have no idea if you are able to take out extra in the UK though.

 

[BellaBoo0512]

Are you not able to borrow additional loan amounts to help with expenses while you are in school? When I was in college, I had to borrow additional student loan amounts to cover some living expenses as well, since I wasn't able to work enough hours while in school full time to cover all my living expenses. Obviously it makes for bigger student loan payments that I owe now, but I needed that extra money to get through school.I have no idea if you are able to take out extra in the UK though.

I don't think I'm eligible for a student loan because I'm already getting my course paid for. When my LO is 3 I will get 15 hours free nursery a week for him but he has only just turned 1 and I don't really want to wait that long before studying.

 

[Dinah93]

Will your LO qualify for a fee 2 year old place? They're expanding which children get it from September

https://www.gov.uk/free-early-education

Do you qualify for any tax credits? Try the benefits calculator here https://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx to see if you would get anything if you were studying.

Whereabouts in the country are you? We're in the North East and if you're willing to do less desirable jobs there are some going. DH is a market research exec and his call centre always has huge numbers of people going for the jobs as it's seen as easy work. However he does have a second job in a care home, and they can never get enough applicants for the care work, especially overnight, despite it paying over £60 for one overnight shift after tax.

 

[BellaBoo0512]

Will your LO qualify for a fee 2 year old place? They're expanding which children get it from September

https://www.gov.uk/free-early-education

Do you qualify for any tax credits? Try the benefits calculator here https://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx to see if you would get anything if you were studying.

Whereabouts in the country are you? We're in the North East and if you're willing to do less desirable jobs there are some going. DH is a market research exec and his call centre always has huge numbers of people going for the jobs as it's seen as easy work. However he does have a second job in a care home, and they can never get enough applicants for the care work, especially overnight, despite it paying over £60 for one overnight shift after tax.

My LO only turned 1 last month, he will qualify for a 2 year old nursery place but won't be allowed to start until September 2015. I currently receive child tax credits and hubby gets a small amount of working tax. I'm in the north west. I've been applying for cleaning jobs, bar work, call centre work.. Any job that I possibly can and I'm still struggling. I've applied for care home jobs too but they all say you need experience of working in a care home. I've worked in a care home previously but never doing care I was doing the admin and finances so it doesn't class as care experience.

 

[aimee-lou]

Are you in England? Could you ask about Access to Learning - it's hardship money technically but you can apply for it before you start the course. It's a rigourous form but can be worth it.

Always worth applying for Student loans too....it's not all just fees, it's grants and loans for living expenses too, although if it's not full time it may not be available.

Also, speak to the job centre about ESA? Or some support if it's part of a placement you may be eligible for income support or similar.

 

[BellaBoo0512]

Thanks but after speaking to the college again they said I'm not eligible for any help so I've decided to start the course next September when my son will qualify for 15 free hours at nursery. My maths and English need updating so I'm going to do them from September in an evening so I won't have any costs to pay.

 

[Pearls18]

I have a career development loan for my masters, the interest is paid for the first 2 years and after that I start making payments and it reverts to a normal bank loan.

 

[BellaBoo0512]

It's a NVQ that I'll be studying so I don't think anything like that is available to me. The college said I'll get my course paid for and some help with childcare but everything else I'll need to find myself which is just impossible at the minute.

 

[Pearls18]

It's so difficult financially to try to study with kids, my CDL only covers 80% of fees which aren't cheap and I work so it's all done outside of work hours, I couldn't afford to study and not work due to the lack of help in childcare costs, it'll be worth it in the the though hun. It'll help when you've got the free hours.

 

[BellaBoo0512]

Yeah it really is hard. I just feel like I'm stuck in a hole! If I get a job I will have to pay the full price for the course which il probably struggle with. I can't seem to find a job anyway. According to the new changes we will qualify for the 15 free hours when LO is 2 so college should be doable then. I just wanted to start this year

 

[petitpas]

Would you be able to cycle to college? That would save you the bus fare at least? Also, have you considered volunteering in a care home to gain experience? You could do the hours that suit you and your oh for childcare.
Also, do you have a local surestart children's centre? It might be worth talking to them. My centre has an advisor who helps with job applications and access to funding.
I think it is great that you are being so proactive and wish you the best of luck with everything!