Student money worries

[Mom2Student]

Dc is about to start 2nd year at uni in England, they work as many hours as they can but it's still proving very difficult financially mainly with big bills needing paying before the income meant for this is available.

I'm not in a position to help as much as I'd like, dad is no help at all not interested.

Dc is over 21 but not yet classed as "mature" student

I'm long out of the loop on what help is available, they are getting as much as they are eligible for on loan side of things but that only just covers rent amount and timings aren't great for that which is problematic and of course they also need money for food, transport, clothes, books etc

There are other aspects too which are somewhat outing but if anyone is happy to discuss by pm that would be so helpful!

Dc worked so hard to get into uni and deserves to be able to focus on their course and do well at it but they're understandably distracted when they're worrying about money.

I'm sure there is help available for their particular circumstances I just don't know what that is where it's available and how to help them to access it.

I also wanted to ask is it normal for students to try and cope without asking for help from parents? I'm not rolling in it myself which they do know, but I can help in other ways and I can't seem to get them to realise that. They seem to be too focused on not worrying me

Hopeful bump

Any guidance at all would be very much appreciated

The offer of a student loan is made on the capability of parent to make up the balance to the maximum loan of £9000+.

DD doesn't need any money from us this year as using lockdown earnings, had extra grant for being abroad, lower rent etc. She's already asked how much we can support her next year as rent looks like it's in region of £8k!. She'll be 660 miles away, so I doubt she'll be coming home Xmas/Easter as min £200 return unless she can get a cheap flight. We've already told how much we can offer, but with increasing fuel and food increases, I'm actually worried she won't have enough. She's desperately tried to get work in her uni city before but jobs hard to come by.

It's really tough isn't it?

I'm not able to help much at all. Last year loan was based on dad supposedly helping - but he doesn't! And there's nothing either of us can do to make him he doesn't care! He never paid cm why would he step up now?

I wish they would base the loan on what the student actually has available which in this case is very little!

They need to speak to the student services team at the uni to make sure they are are getting everything they are entitled to as it depends on individual circumstances.

@solarbirdscalm that's what I have advised but dc telling me they're not being super helpful or are not able to be that's why I was hoping someone on mn would be able to tell me what should be available that maybe even student services don't know about?

Does he have a student bank account/can he get one? DD has one with an interest free overdraft

Why is the assessment based on Dad's income? Did he have custody before DC turned 18? Where is DC living in the holidays?

Does her University have a hardship fund? This is a one off payment that can be given to students if they're able to show they're struggling/need it for bills etc. It doesn't need to be paid off, and can be applied for in each year of University (well it could at my University). Definitely worth looking into. I found out about it in my second year and got £500, and in my third year I got £800. Massive helps with rent. I just had to write a statement detailing why I needed it.

Not 100% sure all Universities do it but definitely worth looking into.

Has student account overdraft maxed out

Stayed with dad a few months into assessment period for last years loan but they no longer speak - totally dads behaviour at fault

In holidays they've stayed in uni town and worked to try and have money for the next phase

Not sure about hardship fund this was something I used when I was at uni not sure if it's still a thing. Dc contacting uni about this tomorrow I'm making a list for them so any ideas to put on list hit me with them! May as well try anything they can only say no right?

Dc was panicking and saying that various things wouldn't be enough to help but I was saying chipping away at the amount gets it down and then easier to find a smaller amount to cover what's left? I'm not sure I've worded that very well not good with words

Sorry meant to say they haven't lived with me for several years

Would DS be able to claim the maximum student maintenance loan if the parental contribution was based just on your income and not his dad's? It may be worth re-submitting the information. He may get more money that way even if you can't make any top up.

Yes hoping full loan will be available to them this year but they're not sure how it works exactly my understanding is they basically claim as a sort of "emancipated" student ? But even max loan isn't enough for all costs of course. That's why they're working and I'm helping as much as I'm able (which isn't much!) but they also need to be able to do the course and sleep! They're a hard worker that's not the issue.

Where are they residing this summer, with you or dad (at least nominally) where does the university think they live? Dd is registered as living with me even though she stayed at university during the summer. Doesn't help us financially because it's household income not my income, dp earns too much, so mine get the minimum loan but their dad gives me maintenance so I can make up the difference

I'll get them to check where they're "officially" living this summer they are living in student accommodation at uni actually though but I will ensure they check they've made that clear to whoever needs to know.