To give up work and go to uni on UC

[Scaredypup]

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.

@Kerrrmieee As I said, I have a hold and already
claim UC so hopefully should be more straightforward.

@Catcrazy83 Yes he gets DLA so I’ll look into that.

@Babyroobs Thanks, those were the calculations I’d read online. From what I’ve roughly worked out I don’t think I’d be much worse off which makes me think I should go for it. Just scared it won’t be manageable emotionally and financially.

@motogirl i haven’t thought it all through properly yet but hopefully could fit studying around school hours and a bit in the evening. I can’t work full time because his specialist school offers no wrap around care so I’d need to still do school runs.

What degree are you looking at? Would that allow you to attend lectures and still do all of the school runs?

Years ago I was a single parent, aged 17, and at uni (before UC).

I was advised that I wouldn't be eligible for Working Tax Credits or Income Support, despite fitting the criteria, as I was at university. I would only be eligible for the Child Tax Credits element.

If I was doing a college course I would be entitled to it all.

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

^^absolutely incorrect. When I studied I had loans, child care grants and uc. It was reduced by around £600 pcm and I also worked part time In the First year. But ultimately I was much better off all round.

You can only get carers allowance if you are doing a part time degree. I have been waiting since October last year for them to approve my application...

You also may be able to get school transport which might give you a little bit of extra time at the beginning and end of the day.

It depends what degree you'd be looking to do as to whether it would fit around school runs- I'd look into that as much as finances. A healthcare degree for example would be an absolute no

Open uni is always classed as part time, even if studying 120 credits per year. It’s definitely the simplest option when UC or carers allowance needs to be considered, part time education with student finance for only course fees won’t alter your benefits

YANBU - this sounds like a really productive use of your time. SIL trained as a teacher and still claimed legacy benefits, but imagine as PP have said they have claimed UC whilst studying, it is possible.

Good luck!

Having to do the school run will likely be an issue. You’ll be expected to attend lectures/seminars and non attendance will be penalised. I do know someone who was kicked out over attendance

It is a basic condition of UC that a claimant should not be receiving education, unless one of the following exceptions applies:

young people up to 21 in full time non-advanced education only
disabled students who have LCW

a student may qualify for UC while on a full time course if they are:

a student with a child or children in their benefit unit
a student over state pension age
a student living with a partner and they are eligible for UC

A student who is not in one of the exception groups and is in full time advanced education will not be eligible for UC from the date they start the course. They are expected to take up any student finance available to them

To add:

A student in PT education may qualify for UC if they meet the conditions of entitlement and their work related requirements. If they cannot, they will be eligible for UC if they are in one of the exception groups

Keep claiming UC to get class 3 pension credits www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits

I’m considering teaching but I’m scared I will fail. I’m not sure I’m confident enough.

im greatly nervous I’d fail any course and I’d have to do a foundation year or access course anyway. As it stands I’ve left it too late for this September so I guess I’ll have to wait another year. Although the longer I leave it the less likely I am to do it.

Only too late to apply through UCAS - you can apply directly to most University courses directly

It isn't too late for UCAS at all. Just some very popular courses may already be full.

I'd consider an online or person Access to HE course from Septemper. Good luck!

How old is DS if you're intending on doing teaching? How would that work with school runs etc, especially when you get to a PGCE?

I’m a teacher-I wouldn’t have been able to do the school run during my training or at any point since qualifying. What courses are you looking at?

I currently hold a level 3 in early years so hopefully could get onto an undergraduate course.
my ds is going into year 5 in September so hopefully only another 2 years of doing school runs. I
can’t apply for transport for him now as we live to close to the school to qualify but in secondary hell either be able to walk alone or I’ll get transport depending on where he goes.

I’ll definitely look at some online courses maybe just until I can be more flexible.

I was considering an early years degree but then all I can do is teach in early years so it would limit job options.

Id also love to be a social worker but have heard such terrible things that I’ve been put off.

Is there wrap around care at your school? I did uni on uc as a single mum and the uni was an hour commute for me! DC went to breakfast and after school club, all covered by the childcare grant.

I can’t apply for transport for him now as we live to close to the school to qualify

If DS cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of his SEN the statutory walking distance does not apply.

I’d think very carefully about it tbh, in the short term you may be better off but remember £ for £ you lose on UC is all money you have to pay back. I went to uni when it was £3k a year and I’m still paying it back in my 30s, now it’s £9k a year!

it may well be worth it though if you’re planning a career from it, It’s just something to consider

As babyroobs has already said, those saying it is taken £1 for £1 and your loan amount is divided by 12 and cancels out your entitlement to UC are incorrect. I graduated last year after being in the same situation.

To clarify:

Firstly, only some of your student loan is counted, not all of it. As a student with dependants you get a special grant element which makes up roughly £3800 of the max loan and parents learning allowance which is also a grant; these are both not counted so it’s between £6500 and £7000 that they actually count as income. Secondly, you then split the loan by 8 as you are not classed as studying over summer so they don’t take it off your entitlement then. They then disregard another £110 from that amount per month you are classed as studying. As UC is in arrears it is taken Oct-May. The rest is taken from your entitlement pound for pound, but you still end up better off getting your loan. You can also claim a childcare grant which pays the majority of your childcare whilst you attend.

Your childs DLA will not be affected nor will your disabled child or carers element of UC. You will not get carers allowance but that’s all you lose. I would 100% encourage you to go for it OP. I’m now in a job in my industry, part time at the moment due to DS needs but when he gets older I have so many options due to my degree.