To ask about university costs/funding/grants

[DirtOnThePlough]

It's a long time since I was doing my undergrad degree and I had a maintenance grant and student loans each year. How does it work now? I'm a single parent on universal credit and my Dd wants to do medicine. It's a few years off yet but I'd like to know now and be prepared. She has a uni savings account to help but it's something I'm worrying about. The universities are too far away for her to realistically live at home as it would be a 1.5-2hour commute on the train. Plus I'd want her to fully experience university life although she is not a sociable child due to possible ASD and might not be bothered about uni life outside of her course.

How does funding work please? Loans? Grants? Bursaries? Lottery tickets?

look at both student finance England (or Wales/Scotland) and also NHS Bursary information - funding for students studying medicine is different - they can get none repayable bursaries - but be prepared as it's not a huge amount

I have two off to Uni this year - it's pretty straightforward - I joined a FB group 'what I wish I'd known about university' for parents that has been really useful - also follow student finance on FB/Twitter

In addition to all above it might be a good idea to start familiarising yourself with UCAS

www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/medicine-and-allied-subjects

from now. There’s an infinite amount of information, and links to other relevant sites. Policies around medical training / university fees and funding could evolve over the next few years, so it’s worth signing up to newsletters to stay informed.

She’s so lucky to have you thinking ahead for her.