Hello,
I am currently trying to make a decision after weighing up my choices and need to know if I am being really silly or am actually doing the right thing!
I am in my 40s and a single Mum of a primary school child. I currently work 19 hours a week doing shifts (days, lates and nights) and get a UC top up too and the housing element to help with my rent. I want to make some changes, get a better paid job with better hours etc. And to get off benefits and eventually buy a property etc. The only way to do this is retrain as I dont have the qualifications to get a very well paid job. I have been going to college in the evenings and got a level 3 qualification but need to take it to degree level get a job in it.
I was going to do this part time at Uni, cut my hours at work to 17 a week to get Tuesdays off to attend, and do a lot of course work from home. But being part time I can only get student finance for the fees and not get a maintenance loan or any other grants etc. I went to a meeting with the Uni finance team today and they have advised me to do it full time instead. Then I can get a maintenance loan and a parent learning allowance and UC should give me a bit more as I will be earning less so they reckon I may not need to work to give me more time for study and family life.
I have asked so many official people and bodies how this will work so have an idea but I want to hear from people that have done similar. I've heard scare stories that UC can insist you work instead and may sanction me for leaving ny job. But I really am trying to better myself and my life.
So I am after a bit of advice from anyone that has been through similar or well anyone that knows a bit about this sort of thing please.
Thank you for reading and for any advice
YABU - Stay at work and dont be silly
YANBU - Go for it, do the full time course