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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To set up a crowd fund to pay for my post graduate degree?

371 replies

Spiceupyourlife1989 · 19/08/2021 23:42

I don’t have the funds to pay it and am currently living on a low income, topped up by universal credit.
I know the post grad loans are £11,500 or thereabouts, but that’s to pay for course fees AND to live on Sad without help, I won’t be able to do it. I want to improve my job prospects, specifically for my toddler son, who I don’t want to end up going without, particularly when he starts school.

OP posts:
Whatinthelord · 20/08/2021 00:10

YANBU - it’s worth a try. I personally probably wouldn’t donate to something like this unless there was a wider context that made me want to. However why not try at least!

Bananarama21 · 20/08/2021 00:12

I'd think you were a cf and wonder what your degree was in that you were still on a low income. I remember seeing someone crowd funding to take their dc to Disney land because they deserved to have the memories. Its basically begging. Its only acceptable if its for treatment or a tragic unexpected death and they don't have a funeral plan.

ddl1 · 20/08/2021 00:13

I do know someone who did that successfully. It does depend on how many people you know; how well off they are; and whether the course is one that will appeal to them.

GreyhoundG1rl · 20/08/2021 00:13

How long since you graduated, op?

NantesElephant · 20/08/2021 00:15

Education is a thing to be truly valued and maybe crowdfunding is worth a try but unless you have a truly compelling story I don’t think you can count on it to fund your course. I donated to a bursary fund for my old university but it funded students from developing countries. Could you approach the university and find out if you might be eligible for any bursary funding?

spongedog · 20/08/2021 00:15

@SmidgenofaPigeon

SCORES of women with or without children would love to improve their educational prospects and enhance their careers, however a post grad is a luxury when you’re already educated at degree level. I’d honestly be wondering what made you think you are so special that other people should pay for you to achieve this?
^^ This
StarryStarrySocks · 20/08/2021 00:16

It doesn't seem like this is a hugely successful way to fund a postgrad when you look at the percentages raised:

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/search/projects?query=Postgraduate

Sorka · 20/08/2021 00:18

You can ask but I wouldn’t give you any money and would silently judge you as cheeky and grabby.

Siepie · 20/08/2021 00:18

@WhenZoomWasJustAnIceLolly

Afaik the course fee loan is separate from the living costs loan and as a single parent you will still be eligible to top it up with some benefits.
That’s true for undergraduates, but for masters, OP is correct that it’s just one loan.

OP you could try crowdfunding, but you’re in the same position as many potential masters students, so I think it’s unlikely you’d get many donations. In my experience most people doing a masters save up for it and/or do it part time alongside work.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 20/08/2021 00:22

Are we going to find out what the first degree is?

gardeninggirl68 · 20/08/2021 00:23

No we aren't

Do people really do this.... no, no they don't!

Get a job and pay for it yourself

BackAwayFatty · 20/08/2021 00:23

Would be classed as other income & rescue your UC.

BackAwayFatty · 20/08/2021 00:23

*reduce your UC £ for £

GreyhoundG1rl · 20/08/2021 00:24

Education is a thing to be truly valued
Not to the point of being funded by random strangers, though. It's hardly a niche thing, is it? Millions of people manage without passing the hat round.

Draculahhh · 20/08/2021 00:25

The type of masters you want to do is what will swing it, a poor single mum who wants to be a nurse = wholesome.

Poor single mum who wants to do a masters in creative writing = self indulgent.

(Disclaimer: I am in no way trashing creative writing, just using it as an example)

Jemimia · 20/08/2021 00:26

You’re not unreasonable to try.

However I question your rationale…very few masters are going to make the difference between low income and good steady income in of themselves. I would understand if you example you wanted to do a PGCE- though I’d tell you to do teach first. However a random masters may not be very helpful if it’s not in a particular vocation.
I am wondering how you could maximise use of the qualifications you already have…and think honestly about what Is stopping you getting graduate entry positions.

Lockdownbear · 20/08/2021 00:27

I'd be highly unlikely to donate to education funds.

Given 50% of graduate jobs aren't overly concerned about what your degree is in, I'm questioning why has your current degree not got you into a better job?

GreyhoundG1rl · 20/08/2021 00:28

What's the degree, op? (again)

saltinesandcoffeecups · 20/08/2021 00:30

Going only from the OP’s post I’m going to assume that the undergrad is a ‘follow your dreams/passion’ subject that translates into little marketable skills and knowledge, the masters would be grasping at straws to justify the previous degree. Neither of which will help the OP in the long run.

I’m apparently old and crusty, but dreams and passion rarely pay the bills. Passion is great to pursue after you’re done with the day job that pays for life’s necessities.

PickAChew · 20/08/2021 00:30

What's your first degree, why are you on a low income and how would that postgrad degree increase it?

ClaryFairchild · 20/08/2021 00:33

Why is everyone assuming it's a masters in the same area as her current degree? There are a lot of post graduate degrees that are actually in a new area - you get the equivalent of a degree (in a new field) over a shorter period of time because you already have a degree and are seen as someone who is capable of this - it might or might not be a masters. Very popular way to get a more useful degree if your first degree is a general one like a BA.

But, I sure as heck wouldn't give money to this.... my priority is me and my children, not you and yours especially when you're doing ok, you just want to do 'better'.

Babyroobs · 20/08/2021 00:36

I'd be thinking why don't you just take a loan like everyone else has to and pay it back when you are earning high enough wages. I'm sure there is funding available.

SixesAndEights · 20/08/2021 00:38

I got a post grad loan and lived off that and a very low income, I was also getting a benefit and the loan didn't impact that. Other benefits may be different.

I wouldn't give to a crowdfunder for this as there is the loan available, so it's not like there's no assistance at all.

SpringlikeBunk · 20/08/2021 00:40

Can you look for a related part-time/distance learning one which will mean you can work at the same time and spread the cost out without having to do it over a year? Loads of universities have got into this now so you'll have plenty of choice.

Wineat5isfine · 20/08/2021 00:43

Give it a go, you never know what might happen.

Personally, it’s not something i would contribute towards - even if one of my best friends was asking.

But if you don’t ask, you don’t get.