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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give up work and go to uni on UC

71 replies

Scaredypup · 22/06/2022 21:34

Not really an aibu so apologies. But has anybody claimed universal credit whilst studying full time. The rules seem so complicated but it seems like it is possible.

I already receive UC and work minimal hours due to having a child with SEN and needing to fit work around him. I’m wondering if instead of wasting these years I could do something useful with them.

OP posts:
Rockmehardplace · 22/06/2022 21:37

Following cos I want to do the same!

XenoBitch · 22/06/2022 21:39

Found this....

If you are a student, you can only claim Universal Credit if:
You are under 21, taking
a course that leading to a qualification at the same level as or below A levels (such as Scottish Highers, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) up to level 3) and you do not and cannot live with your parents; or
You are responsible for a child; or
You get Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment or Child Disability Payment and you have limited capability for work. (This can be complicated. Use our Find an Adviser tool to find a local adviser); or
You are over Pension Credit age; or
You live with a partner who can claim Universal Credit; or
You have taken time out from your course for illness or caring responsibilities, are now recovered/your caring responsibilities have ended, and you are waiting to go back to your course.

onetwothreefourfivesixseveneight · 22/06/2022 21:42

I don't know what the rules are now but I went to uni as a single parent when mine were young. I had a student loan plus tax credits at the rate of someone unemployed because student loan didn't count as income for tax credits, and then some housing benefit too.

I was better off long term (and short term) so if the rules are still similar how, then go for it.

worstofbothworlds · 22/06/2022 21:47

The worry with doing this full time would be the timing of lectures, labs etc (I'm an academic), they often aren't that flexible. What would you like to study?

Hoardasurass · 22/06/2022 21:57

Ok if you are going on a uni course or nhd and above at college you will have to apply for student loans 1st and when you find out what you are getting (because you have a child) you then apply to UC telling them about your loans and any wages plus your rent cost and if your lucky you will get enough extra to cover your expenses but if you have a loan that is higher than the basic award for 1 adult with 1 disabled child plus rent you will get nothing. The absolute best you can hope for is that you will be topped up to the basic award.
Rather confusing I know but I hope that helps

Hoardasurass · 22/06/2022 21:58

Sorry that should say HND not nhd😊

icelolly12 · 22/06/2022 22:07

You can't claim UC if you're at Uni full time. You get a student loan/grant like everyone else.

Lachimolala · 22/06/2022 22:09

icelolly12 · 22/06/2022 22:07

You can't claim UC if you're at Uni full time. You get a student loan/grant like everyone else.

You definitely can, I do.

XenoBitch · 22/06/2022 22:11

Lachimolala · 22/06/2022 22:09

You definitely can, I do.

Show quote history

My work coach told me my benefits would stop if I studied :(

fuckboris · 22/06/2022 22:11

icelolly12 · 22/06/2022 22:07

You can't claim UC if you're at Uni full time. You get a student loan/grant like everyone else.

Not true.

fuckboris · 22/06/2022 22:14

Most of the mature students with children on my course receive some UC still.

They deduct student loan £ for £ for the length of time your course runs

Kerrrmieee · 22/06/2022 22:16

You need to be available for work if you are single, childless and on UC.

You can do OU full time.

Or go at a certain age and have a child below 3.

Rules change all the time. I went physically as a mature student when on income support years ago, but no idea about now.

You will not be eligible for UC if you leave paid work for a period of weeks.

Mumbleiro · 22/06/2022 22:16

If you do meet the criteria then, unlike tax credits, most student loan will count as income. If you are eligible to claim student loan but choose not to it can still be counted as income. It could be you get little or no award www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Full-time-students-and-benefits/How-much-Universal-Credit-will-I-get

UndertheCedartree · 22/06/2022 22:19

icelolly12 · 22/06/2022 22:07

You can't claim UC if you're at Uni full time. You get a student loan/grant like everyone else.

Nonsense

UndertheCedartree · 22/06/2022 22:24

This was some years back but when I went to Uni I got a bursary, student loan and tax credits. I also got an extra amount for being a parent. Then I got most of my childcare paid for too.

If you have to work around your DC you'd have to look carefully at the course to make sure it would work

Whatthefuck3456 · 22/06/2022 22:30

I am on a university course currently just finishing second year. Single parent to 1 child.

on paper you are still claiming UC but because of your maintenance loans you don’t actually receive any UC monthly money. I am on a full time course and still have to fit in some part time work so I can afford to live!

it’s very hard but I would do it again in a heart beat.

Goodluck which ever you decide!

Babyroobs · 22/06/2022 22:33

icelolly12 · 22/06/2022 22:07

You can't claim UC if you're at Uni full time. You get a student loan/grant like everyone else.

You absolutely can claim UC if you have kids. However you are expected to take the maximum student loans available to you, and this figure is divided by the number of months it is intended to cover ( usually 8 ) and then the first £110 each month is disregarded and the rest reduces your Uc pound for pound. certain things like childcare grants etc are not taken into account. It can be done but does reduce your Uc a lot. Very unfair as people still on tax credits would not have student loans taken into account.

Babyroobs · 22/06/2022 22:35

Whatthefuck3456 · 22/06/2022 22:30

I am on a university course currently just finishing second year. Single parent to 1 child.

on paper you are still claiming UC but because of your maintenance loans you don’t actually receive any UC monthly money. I am on a full time course and still have to fit in some part time work so I can afford to live!

it’s very hard but I would do it again in a heart beat.

Goodluck which ever you decide!

That would totally depend on your normal UC entitlement. If you have a few kids and high rent then there is every possibility you could still receive a significant amount of Uc each month after deductions for student loans. just because your Uc award may be low enough to not qualify for any payment doesn't mean others wouldn't get any. Op may have high private rent etc.

ToysRMine · 22/06/2022 22:36

Yes. I did because I claim PIP. They deduct student £ for £ loan though so I think I ended up with about £500 a month because being assessed for LCWRA took 18 months due to the pandemic.

chesirecat99 · 22/06/2022 22:36

You can claim UC as a student if you have a child. For every £1 that you are entitled to as a student loan (whether you take it or not) and any bursaries/scholarships, £1 is deducted from the UC claim.

They take the amount you are entitled to as a student loan and divide it by 12 to calculate the monthly UC payment. Of course, student loans aren't paid monthly, they are paid at the beginning of each term, so you will have to budget carefully and save money from the loan in earlier terms to get you through the summer vacation.

XenoBitch · 22/06/2022 22:37

ToysRMine · 22/06/2022 22:36

Yes. I did because I claim PIP. They deduct student £ for £ loan though so I think I ended up with about £500 a month because being assessed for LCWRA took 18 months due to the pandemic.

I am in the LCWRA group.. and was told if I studied, I was fit for work.

Catcrazy83 · 22/06/2022 22:41

Does your child get dla? are you entitled to carers allowance? If so you could do open university, so no maintenance loan and would still get UC with no work commitment

motogirl · 22/06/2022 22:44

Yes you can claim uc if you have a child. But if you can't work full time due to your dcs sen, how can you fit in studying full time. It depends a bit on the course but my DD's both work in excess of 30 hours a week on their studies, the engineer bearer 40.

Babyroobs · 22/06/2022 22:48

motogirl · 22/06/2022 22:44

Yes you can claim uc if you have a child. But if you can't work full time due to your dcs sen, how can you fit in studying full time. It depends a bit on the course but my DD's both work in excess of 30 hours a week on their studies, the engineer bearer 40.

I guess op could study in the evenings when her child is in bed or at weekends if the child goes to her dads or family could help ? Most Uni courses only have about 15 hours of actual lectures unless something vocational like Nursing or Midwifery which would be very difficult. Most Uni courses cannot be compared to full time work in terms of flexibility.

Usernamqwerty · 22/06/2022 23:06

Hey, current student here with kids. Just to let you know if you do a healthcare course leading to particular professions (eg nursing, physio, OT, podiatry) you can get £7k NHS Bursary which you don't have to pay back. This is on top of your student loan.

Not sure about the benefits issue, but you can always phone Student Finance as a prospective student. I did and they were very helpful.

Good luck 😃