Mumsnet Talk

If so what was the financial crack?

I'm thinking of taking this year out and starting again in September...

Yeah, thats what I'm doing this year. I'm doing a placement year, working in my industry, but I've also had a baby so major busy.

In one word: awful! it's absolutely terrible. I get around £500 each semester, thats the maximum i can get, i've tried to get more. Im classed as an independent now with a child aswell.

Also No childcare grant, no grants whatsoever, because year out students are entitled to anything! So, its literally pennies to get by on. Luckily i have family childcare, but are looking into nursery's for my final year next year.

I took out a year when I fell pregnant and was meant to be going back this Monday... But I seem to have got lost in the system so have no timetable etc!! My student finance was stopped so was living off income support alone.
So I personally wouldn't recommend it, but it depends on your personal circumstances and how organised your uni is!

If you're taking a year out for medical/maternity reasons and it's unavoidable you may still get your maintenance loan. I suspended for the year in late September, but I'm still getting my loan because it was for maternity. It did take lots of letters and begging though.

i took a year out of my first degree as i got called up for service (am ex raf), and then again as i found out i was pg. finance stopped as i was obv earning when i was called up. finished it with dd1 in tow.

during my almost ma, i got called up again. <sigh> and in the end left the course. (by this point i had 3 dc, one with considerable sn)

during my current msc (can you see the pattern yet) i took temp withdrawal as dh got posted o'seas. my funding is still sitting in the uni and i am about to resume.

i was thinking of applying for a phd. i'm not having any more dcs. i was wondering whether it was possible to get through a course in one go...

Thanks for the replies

I've decided to take one, it was either a year out being a bit skint or a mental breakdown!

DP is a student so we still get his finance, plus his wages and tax credits etc so it seems manageable.

Hope things work out out! That sounds like a prolonged higher education haha!

Hi I took a year out due to baby arriving. Going back for my 3rd. I get b'all but we have survived! I'm begging and applying for everything when I go back lol!