to ask how finances for a non-single-parent work for a Higher Technical Qualification or degree?

[OrangeFishy]

Hi,

I'm interested in doing a HTQ in software development which the government have rolled out for adult learners.

I'm mid-30s in an underpaid horrible job that works around our 2 children, DH is self employed and income varies (anywhere between 25k-45k a year), we're skint most of the time but he earns too much for us to qualify for any sort of Universal Income and help with finances for me to study I'm guessing. I know I'd be able to get a loan to pay for the course, but we would lose the 1k I earn every month as I'd have to quit my job to have time to study between looking after the DC.

Is this just the reality for parents in my position? Seems I'd be in a much better position to afford to study as a single parent?

Never heard of HTQ. Does it fall under the general student loan system?

The benefit you mean is Universal Credit (Universal Income is something quite different that we don’t have in this country - yet). Student finance for single parents is treated much more brutally under UC than it was under Tax Credits. So don’t assume it would be comfortable or even doable for a single parent; The Tories seem to be determined to make it difficult for any adult to retrain, TBH.

That only helps you with some minor points though, so have a bump.

Just to “reassure” you that single parent students aren’t having a better time;

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3797256-Student-parents-and-universal-credit

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3445630-Student-and-Universal-Credit-Woes

If it comes under student finance you can claim all tuition fees plus the amount of loan based on the means test - they take the income for the previous tax year so 21/22 for starting in September 22. The means tested amount it on the government website. There's additional support for students with children for childcare but it's means tested so I'm unsure if you qualify.

Oh wow!!!!!! I had no idea that UC took a student loan as income!? As in, the tuition-fee loan? How on earth does that make any sense whatsoever?

@OrangeFishy

Oh wow!!!!!! I had no idea that UC took a student loan as income!? As in, the tuition-fee loan? How on earth does that make any sense whatsoever?

No, not for undergraduates. The tuition fee portion is ignored. But that applies whether you’re single or in a couple. It’s the maintenance (living cost) portion they claw back energetically, again whether you’re coupled or not. Which gives people an issue in what to use for heat/eat.

(The way they treat postgraduate loans is much worse, but that’s another story.)

I don't know how old your children are, but you may also need to factor in that with you not working you would only be eligible for 15hrs free childcare rather than 30hrs, and that you would also lose access to tax-free childcare (speaking from experience here as the working partner of a student).

Could you do it PT and still work?

nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-your-education-and-training-choices/higher-technical

Okay so they’re 1-2 year technical HE courses? Equivalent to HNC/HND/FdSc by the looks of things. The finding information I can find is very vague. What have you been told directly?

My youngest won't be eligible for the 30 hours until January. My eldest is in primary school.
My current job is evenings/ nights to work around looking after my youngest and school runs for the eldest.

@Thoosa

nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-your-education-and-training-choices/higher-technical

Okay so they’re 1-2 year technical HE courses? Equivalent to HNC/HND/FdSc by the looks of things. The finding information I can find is very vague. What have you been told directly?

The funding is not paid for by gov and would still need to be paid for via loan - its just the gov have rolled these out as accessible to adults who don't necessarily have a levels from what I van gather (I do have a levels but not in the tech subjects).

@OrangeFishy

My youngest won't be eligible for the 30 hours until January. My eldest is in primary school. My current job is evenings/ nights to work around looking after my youngest and school runs for the eldest.

I don't think I'd be able to work part time/study and do the school runs/look after my toddler. Not any of the non skilled low paid part time jobs I've seen anyway.

Well if it’s through standard student loans, then normal rules apply.

Only part of the maintenance loan is mean tested, so you could still get the tuition fee loan plus more than £7000 a year maintenance loan, if your OH was making £40k, for example.

Along with evening work that could be very doable, but hard work.

There’s a calculator somewhere. I’ll see if I can find the link.

Here it is;

www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator

And this is the table showing how household income ameffects how much maintenance loan you can borrow. Assuming you live outside London, the first column applies.

Stop panicking.

@Thoosa thank you so much for your help!

YW