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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask re help available with childcare when doing a Masters

18 replies

Flarrot · 13/10/2017 12:04

I’m single with 15 month old DC, I currently work two days a week and she goes to CM. I get working tax credits, Child tax credit plus the childcare element. I want to do an MSc next year. It seems like all I can get in finance is about £10,000 student loan but I have to pay

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Original poster
Flarrot · 13/10/2017 12:05

Argh posted too soon. I have to pay £7000 course fees out of that. Uni says I can’t get ANY help with childcare - is that right?

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drspouse · 13/10/2017 12:10

I suspect it is though you may get lower nursery fees, maybe the two year hours if you wait till your DC is two?
Some universities do have hardship funds but a lot of parents do their Masters part time. Our DS who is adopted was placed while my DH was doing a Masters and it's a really neglected area - we were just lucky he got a job shortly after he graduated.

Original poster
Flarrot · 13/10/2017 12:12

Thanks drspouse - would I still get those hours though because I’m sure I’ve beem told i wouldn’t because I’d be studying - and I don’t know who to ask! I’ve spent the entire morning trying to find out what’s available and got nowhere, it’s so frustrating

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cheesydoesit · 13/10/2017 12:12

I've just looked at my Uni website and it seems they don't provide childcare grants or loans either at MA level. Have they suggested any other avenues you could explore?

Original poster
Flarrot · 13/10/2017 12:18

cheesydoesit no, they said there is literally No help available for me in my particular situation. They said I could have applied for a hardship grant if I earned £120 a week? Which seems crazy to me because I’m being penalised because I’ve got less money. I am actually in tears because I so desperately want us to get out of our situation of poverty and gaining this Masters would make me very employable and earn quite highly even at a junior level. But it looks I like I might have to wait three years now until DD goes to school which is so depressing.

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RedSkyAtNight · 13/10/2017 12:19

Are you in England and the 10K is the postgraduate loan?

If so, I think that's correct (unless your uni has something specific that they offer). The 10K is intended to be a maintenance loan and cover things like childcare.

Distance learning?

Ginorchoc · 13/10/2017 12:20

Can you do it part time over two years? Much less hours as I've just been accepted for a Masters I'm a single parent who works full time (child in school though) commitment is about 4-6 hours a week contact time.

Original poster
Flarrot · 13/10/2017 12:24

Redsky yes that’s it, postgraduate loan of £10,280 and they said that’s to be spent as maintenance and/or course fees. so after course fees that would leave me with about £3000 to live on for the year, and pay for full time childcare which is obviously so far from possible it’s funny. How are people supposed to improve their situations? I’d be happy to pay back any money I was given, once I’m earning - I’m not looking for handouts.

Regarding the hours for two year old and three year olds, can anyone tell me if you’re eligible for them if you’re studying? Or where I can get this information? It’s so maddening to not be able to call someone and find out

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Original poster
Flarrot · 13/10/2017 12:25

Unfortunately it’s not offered as part time or distance, no

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titchy · 13/10/2017 12:46

to be honest the contact hours are probably low enough for you to continue to work.

Original poster
Flarrot · 13/10/2017 13:00

titchy that would be great! Waiting to hear back from them (emailed yesterday) about how the hours are distributed over the week but heard nothing yet

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cheesydoesit · 13/10/2017 13:07

Ah it's so frustrating. Well done you for persevering though, I will be in a similar position next year when I graduate. As far as I am aware to be eligible for the free 15 hours childcare you have to be working at least 16 hours according to the govt website. You could apply anyway and see if they accept student parents. It is frustrating trying to get a direct answer.

Twitchingdog · 13/10/2017 13:13

Could get a lodger who pay some bill and do some child care .

drspouse · 13/10/2017 17:50

to be eligible for the free 15 hours childcare you have to be working at least 16 hours a week

Not for the 2 year funding which is income or disability based, nor for the 3 year universal hours which are, er, universal.

drspouse · 13/10/2017 17:55

It looks like you might be able to get Income Support or Housing Benefit as a single parent student of a child under 5. Those lead to 2 year funding.
Don't know how this will change with Universal Credit.

drspouse · 13/10/2017 17:59

Yes, it looks like if you're a single parent student you can also apply for UC.
Good luck!

vj32 · 13/10/2017 19:01

I seriously considered doing a Masters this year but decided in the end I cant afford it.

Original poster
Flarrot · 13/10/2017 19:22

Thanks everyone, it looks as though there’s hope then. I’m hoping I can also get a career development loan

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