how do i afford university for dc? I have nothign spare? can they support themselves?

Others will come on who are in exactly your situation in a minute no doubt but I think the middle income earners (like ourselves) are the worst off. There should be no such thing as "can't afford" university. They are get £9000 pa fees loan that only becomes payable when earning, regardless of parents income. They then get either a maintenance grant or a loan, which the middle earners+ are expected to top up. Everyone is entitled to a minimum of £3.5k regardless of income-but it is a loan. Low earners DC's will not need to pay it back. Low earners DC's will get it in a grant. This will probably pay rent and not much more and will probably will need to work too. Also low earners DC's are able to apply for scholarships etc that others often can't.

See Martin Lewis's website. It is very good.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-tuition-fees-changes

I know of no one in rl who had their rent etc paid. They just worked for it so dont worry.

I worked part time at Mothercare and lived at home and went to the local uni.

A combination of student loans, bank loans and part time work help to cover the fees and living costs.

What I would say is try and make sure that your kids are financially savvy before they go, show them how to draw up a budget, monitor what they are spending, how to make cheap meals etc

Both me and now DH were in exactly the same financial position at uni (we didn't have any) but DH had never dealt with a lump sum of money and had no idea how to spread it - so quickly spent it on all the things he'd never had before.

My DD works 20 hours per week and is about to take a course that will give her a second income on the weekends. I think it is crazy that if she had decided to do a crappy college course instead of going to uni, I would have got monetary help from the government. Because she is going to uni, i get almost nothing. If they really want people from poorer homes to go to uni, they should be providing more help and support. there, soap box rant over with for the morning!

I worked 15-20 hour a week during university. Between that and my loan, I managed to pay rent, bills, food, beer, and do a relatively expensive hobby. Didn't get a grant but I imagine I would have been able to cut my hours back?

Don't be put off by the high tuition fees - you don't have to pay them back till you're earning 25K and it's taken as a percentage of your salary much like NI, tax and pension. I went when fees were still £3K a year but I'll be paying off the loan most of my working life - I just budget accordingly for the £100 or so less a month I get - just like when I started my pension.

Most universities have hardship grants or similar you can apply for and they're desperate to give them away - if you time it right, they have a surplus and they give it away to anybody - I know a couple of people who paid for a university trip to Belize partially through hardship grants!

University is still affordable as long as you budget carefully, and are prepared to live in a shared house that may not be the best, but at least is cheap!

When I went to university, my mum was a single parent and self-employed. Now obviously this was 10 years ago and things have changed since then but it is possible. I was on a full loan (approx £4k a year), paid no tuition fees due to income bracket (I know this isn't always the case now), and worked 8-16 hours a week term time to support myself. In the holidays I worked full time and took a waitressing job in the evenings. My mum contributed as and when she could. £200 here to help towards my rent, £50 there for food.

I had a big overdraft and credit card, but these were on very low interest rates and I paid them off couple of years after I graduated. Plus I wasn't exactly living the poor student lifestyle; new clothes at least once a month, out 3 times a week etc.

Do some research, look at rent prices around where your DC wants to go, check out what you would get in terms of loan/support etc.

I worked the entire way through my degree. My mum could never have afforded to pay my rent and living expenses.

Most working class students have to work their way through Uni to oay extra bills etc.
if you are in a low income then they will be eligible for student loans etc to oay for accommodation, tuition fees etc. Nearly all students will also have part time work as well.
My niece worked for an Apple store all the way through her degree.