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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Uni costs - student/parent paying

108 replies

MarysMonologue · 29/06/2022 18:37

This isn't so much a TAAT but more sort of off the back of a few posts I have seen about sending kids off to university lately.

Is it more common now for parents to pay? I graduated 10 years ago, and whilst I was at University very few of my peers had fees/accommodation paid for. All of us worked, usually Friday/Saturday/Sunday and used that alongside our loans. I only knew one person who had their fees paid for and received a weekly allowance (and even still he took out the maintenance loan without telling his parents and squandered it all on having a very very good time).

But I see more and more threads about parents covering costs, and not many mention jobs. Are students no longer working through University? Or is it just a case now where the loans students get, just is not feasible to live on and cover the rising costs these days?

For me, I couldn't have survived without my PT job and to be honest, my £500 student overdraft. But they did keep me ticking over - I definitely had a lot of beans on toast and super noodle dinners though. I got the minimum loan, as my parents earned just over the threshold but they just couldn't have afforded to pay for me. Not with my siblings at home, mortgage etc. Although in saying that, if I was really stuck they would have made sure I wasn't in trouble of course but at the detriment to their own bills I imagine.

Just wondering out loud really. With a very young baby, I am curious at how much it has all changed. Although in saying that, by the time they go to University (if they want to), it will have changed even more! We're discussing opening a bank account for her, but to be honest it was more for general stuff in her future, maybe a car etc, I hadn't earmarked it for University fees.

OP posts:
hellcatspangle · 29/06/2022 19:02

We felt it was more useful to help them out with house deposits, which we have done.

motogirl · 29/06/2022 19:00

Parents were expected to pay a parental contribution when I went in the 90's. Just like now maintenance was means tested, I got all but £200 but some friends got no maintenance grant at all. I can't speak for earlier than then

TheSmallAssassin · 29/06/2022 18:59

I don't know anyone who is planning, or would be able, to cover all over their children's university costs. We were going to make up the difference between what our son gets for his maintenance loan (minimum, because of what we earn) and the maximum, but have ended up paying his accommodation instead. Also saving up to top up our daughter when it's her turn too. Tuition is completely covered for everyone by loans (well, as long as it's their first degree course)

Original poster
MarysMonologue · 29/06/2022 18:58

@abc5432 I don't think it wrong for students to work to support themselves. I think it's actually quite beneficial to have that work experience, and couldn't imagine graduating without having held a job before. I imagine it depends on your course though, in regards to how many hours you're in during the week. But I would have thought weekends could definitely be worked.

Yes, I imagine rent prices are a massive factor now. Which is such a shame. University halls too, given they are all very swanky. I was lucky enough mine was quite run down so the price wasn't extortionate, but the university now has very fancy modern buildings alongside private halls throughout the city. I probably would have struggled to pay for those if I had to at the time!

OP posts:
Original poster
MarysMonologue · 29/06/2022 18:53

I should have mentioned in my post that I went to University just an hour away from my parents house, and my PT job was in my home town. So I was able to raid the fridge every weekend when I went home which helped!

I think it is the amount of threads I see where full costs are being covered that have surprised me. It just seems to be much more common these days that it was. Which is great for all involved if you can afford it, has just shocked me how many seem to do it!

OP posts:
abc5432 · 29/06/2022 18:50

LilacPoppy · 29/06/2022 18:42

loans are calculated on the basis that the parent will make up the difference from the minimum to maximum loan. So yes you support your child.

I agree and where the loan isn't made up by parents to the full maintenance amount, the student would have to work to cover the difference themselves.
Also usually the minimum loan (and even the maximum in some cities) is often insufficient to cover the extortionate rental amounts these days. Living at home can be much more cost effective.
I have fully funded my DC and when one did take an online job, I let them keep their earnings as savings rather than reduce the amount of our support.
Get saving would be my advice.

hellcatspangle · 29/06/2022 18:48

We have supported ours by topping up the minimum loan to the recommended amount, as well as paying for annual bus passes, and having them raid the cupboards for food parcels when they've been home for the weekend. I can't imagine letting one of them struggle for food tbh.

Nobody I know has totally paid for their dc so they don't need any loans (I get the point if you're made of money and won't miss it, but I've been surprised to read threads on here where people seem to have saved up to pay student fees)

In terms of jobs one of ours had plenty of free time in the week so worked p/t all through uni, the other had way more lab/contact time so couldn't fit it in and worked all summer instead.

LilacPoppy · 29/06/2022 18:42

loans are calculated on the basis that the parent will make up the difference from the minimum to maximum loan. So yes you support your child.

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