To think im being held back because DH earns average wage?

[bonkerz]

I really want to go back to college and study social work. I have all the necessary qualifications to get on the course i want and i have the motivation to do. UNFORTUNATLEY Dh earns £25k a year which means i would not be eligable for any help with fees etc and we cannot afford for me to do it on this wage.
Im giving up work in 3 weeks and thought it would be a great time to go to college but i cant afford it!

My mate whos DH earns £15k (but they get alot of tax credits which in camparison leaves us preatty equal income wise) is doing a degree and its all paid for and she gets grants etc for books and a free lap top!

I suppose the bit that makes me cross is that by the time my DH tax is taken from his salary and also the cost of travelling he brings home just over £16k which means technically we have less disposable income tan freind.

I am jealous of friend although its not her fault.

Dh now considering giving up his managerial highly stressed long hours job and working in a factory with income of £15k so i can go to college!

my post of 15: 19 should be on the postal strike thread. sorry

I agree with Twinset about it being worth working. And I remember that wife swap series. The couple who worked had a better quality of life than the people on benefits even though the latter got more cash.

thanks everyone for the help and points in right direction!
Was worried earlier i may have been misunderstood and people may have thought i was bashing people on benefits etc BUT i can say im not. Recent posts have indeed highlighted exaclty what i meant in my OP.
Catsmother certainly hit the nail on the head. Both my friend and i have same income per month except mine is from DH working and hers is made up of wages and benefits. No problem with how income is made just dont understand how her income means she can access more than i can!
TBH i am not sure i could commit myself to huge sums of debt. Im not even sure Dh would let me.
Also £25k is not a huge income annually especially after mortgage etc and just to add friend is in housing association house so doesnt have all the expenses of mortgage and up keep etc of house nor does she have to pay the council tax and her rent is subsidised so she is probably better off than us TBH.
Will make more enquiries about OU and see what can happen. Still think its unfair that i will have to get into more debt to get FE.
Also just to point out from another post about poor getting free education to further themselves. My friend is actually qualified to the same level as me and her DH CHOOSES to do a low paid job which is why i feel so annoyed at the system i suppose.
Now im probably rambling.

Work as a social services team assistant? They do second people to be trained as social workers. Also I'm sure there are part time courses out there; I did my DipSW part time while I worked. Couldn't have done it otherwise.

Sorry if all been suggested, haven't read whole lot!

if you are applying for the social work degree, you might not get your fees paid by your lEA due to your DH's income, but they should be paid in addition to a bursary from the GSCC. You should also get a small amount from the LEA.

just wanted to say thanks again for the OU link and idea. I have contacted OU who reckon i may get funding for some lower qualification ccourses. Have applied to do a level 1 course which is for a year so i can see if i get on with home learning. Will then see where im at then. Hopefully i should qualify for £535 of funding and the course is £599 so can find the extra.