to ask if anyone knows about benefits for students on placement

[NobodyHomeToday]

From August to June 2015 I'm going to be in my placement year - 3rd year of a 4 year degree course.

I'm going to be paid during this time - about £10k pa - but need to pay for accommodation which is going to be a flat on my own - £400pcm? plus bills

And I'll need money to eat etc.

All I'm being told is that I can't claim income support and housing benefit because I'm a student with no dependents. I'm 22 and don't have parents ect to support me.. Help!

There arent any benefits in your situation unless you get HB due to a low income ask your council. Try tax credis but be aware that might also be a no. You might need to look at a house share instead and a weekend/evening job

Could you share the flat (even if it means a slightly bigger one) in order to pay less rent yourself.

What about commuting costs? If you are within walking distance of your workplace that will be very different to a 10 mile drive in the rush hour.

Also, check what you are likely to be paying as tax so you know what your take home pay will be.

And remember, the placement should put you at an advantage when you've finished university. If I could have my time again I'd do a placement.

Thanks chase and Proud

I am looking into cheap options for flats including sharing. But I'm being told I will get absolutely nothing in benefits. I can't live on nothing.

I don't know what to do.

How much are you living on now?

Can you get a job over the summer to boost your finances?

You might be entitled to a (smaller) student loan. Is there someone at your university who can advise you?

I'm sorry but it's true - if you are a student you are not entitled to any benefits at all. Please go to your student support office and see about applying for an 'emergency/access grant/loan/bursary).

However, if you are being paid about 10k you can afford £400 pcm - £10k is about £800 per month. If you can houseshare for less do that - it's a lot more fun anyway when you're 22.

Also, do what ever work you can before then and save money this summer not spend it. Simples.

Have a great time and study hard - it should pay off later! Good luck.

If you're only paying 400pcm plus bills then the 10k will be enough surely?

You're not going to be living the life of Riley on your 100 quid a week but it should be doable - that's how much you'd get for a job a bit above minimum wage

www.ljmu.ac.uk/feesandfunding/127550.htm

www.bath.ac.uk/studentservices/money-service/guides/thick.pdf

www.leeds.ac.uk/studentservicescentre/financial_admin/placement2.htm

"During your placement year you are normally only eligible for a reduced rate of Student Loan. This is regardless of whether or not your placement is paid. This loan is not means-tested and will be paid to you in three instalments. In the 2014/15 academic year you can have a loan of £1,761 if you live with your parents and £2,347 if you live elsewhere."

Check with your SU, but you can get a small loan as well as your wage.

If memory serves, I think I worked in the summer holidays to fund my placement year.
But you are due to be getting 800 a month...how is that 'nothing to live on'?

If you're careful you can do it. What about a job a couple of evenings a week? It's what most students do, there is usually something available for a couple of evenings a week.

Some people who work and are not students only earn £10k a year and they manage just fine. If you were on the dole you would only get the HB for the rent plus around £85 a week.
If all else fails you can apply to the uni hardship fund.
Can you rent a room in a shared house instead of having a flat?

That's not 'nothing to live on' as long as you budget carefully.

And does it have to be a flat? Why not look for a house share, bedsit or room to rent if money is a concern. Have you looked for a weekend or evening job? I worked full time placements plus one night shift a week as a student.

You need to look at shared accommodation not a flat of your own. 10k is still doable , presumably you could also work pt (eves/weekends) to supplement.

Getting £10k you are a lot luckier than many placement students who will often be on much less, or even nothing at all as students on placement are exempt from minimum wage legislation. Pay on placements is very much a supply-and-demand thing, it depends on your subject (e.g. psychology students are in massive over-supply compared to psychology jobs so placements are almost always completely unpaid). With your loan too you will be fine, and there is no reason at all why you shouldn't rent a room in a shared house like most young professionals and students do and be pretty well-off.

crikey, i wasn't paid at all on my placement year - I just got by on my regular loan.

I flat-shared, lived on next-to-nothing, and had a great time. It's entirely possible on 10k.

House share (obviously) and you'll get £10k plus a bit of loan. Work the summer before placement and save and you should be totally fine.

Loan, job, flat share.

If you get a job now, you might be able to save enough for your own flat.

10k is enough for a young single non disabled student to live on.

What do you think other students do?

Share a flat like everyone else!!

YABU as you are already receiving £10k payment. It's more than most students on placements. What sort of placement is it? If it's Monday to Friday, can you not get a part time job?

You're still eligible for student loans on your placement year, not sure about the grant bit though.

Work the summer beforehand and save and then have a weekend or evening job to top it up and you'll be fine. It's hard work, but I'm sure will be worth it.

Houseshare like everyone else and get a PT evening job.

Yabu as 10k is plenty.

Most students have less than that in grants and loans.

If I was you I would look for a part time job, or look at budgeting.

Surely £10,000 is more than you have had to live on the past few years?

Is the issue that you will have to pay fees (normally a reduced rate out of that money). Are you not able to access student finance?

I would talk to the finance office at your university as the first port of call- they will be able to tell you exactly what you are entitled to and what you will need to pay the university.