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Original poster

Childcare Costs

22 replies

Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 08:10

Hi, I hope someone can give me some advice please. I am a lone parent and have been a full time student studying a year long masters and I just got notification from UC that they won't pay my childcare costs. I wasn't able to access my bank account for a few months and have been crazy busy with assignments and classes (and DD) so I lost track of everything. This week I contacted UC and they told me I wasn't eligible and they have taken back what they paid me before, I was only paid because of a mistake my previous case worker made but I was never informed.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation?
I don't know what to do next and I can't stop crying.

OP posts:
Skybluepinky · 14/04/2023 08:21

Have u spoken to student finance, they normally help with childcare costs?

Lizzt2007 · 14/04/2023 08:23

Does your university have any grants or bursaries available for childcare? Or a hardship fund you could apply to? UC can only pay childcare if you're working so it was definitely a mistake.

Original poster
Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 08:25

I just found out this morning so I haven't done anything yet. I don't know of any funds available but I will look into it with the university today.

OP posts:
horridjobescapee · 14/04/2023 08:28

First of all. Don't panic.

Find out what money you have in your bank account.

Go to your uni student support services - they will have a hardship fund, and they may have bursaries and grants available too.

Original poster
Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 08:33

Thank you, I am so upset. I had a tiny bit of savings and have been scrimping and saving on everything even and now it is all gone. The course I did is in a field that has just been severely cut too so there is little chance of a job at the end. I feel so downhearted, what a waste of time, effort and money.

OP posts:
Testina · 14/04/2023 08:37

A one year Masters level course that’s had a huge change in career prospects in just 8 months? What’s the course - people may be able to suggest related careers that it might usefully feed into.

Definitely contact the university this morning about hardship funds - is it just for Apr/May/Jun that you need childcare money?

Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 08:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

horridjobescapee · 14/04/2023 08:44

So how long have you not had access to your bank account?

That's a long time not to have known blue much money you had or to have been budgeting

Original poster
Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 08:49

Yes, it was, since about January. I have everything in direct debit. I had problems to access the account and I have had so many assignments and classes I didn't have time/energy to contact them to fix the access issue. I hardly spend any money, I rarely put the heating on, eat a lot of yellow sticker food/ lidl vegetable boxes, we only wear second hand clothes, I have a bike so no transport costs.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 09:26

I had correspondence with UC up until the middle of January about invoices etc and there was no reason to believe from the messages it wouldn't be paid for that time.

OP posts:
vhungrycaterpillar · 14/04/2023 09:26

Is there an option to use the work you've done already to gain a PGCert /PGDip? I know this was an option for people on my masters course who had done all of the work up until the thesis but didn't want to do the thesis.
That way you can get some sort of qualification out of this but could also start working more quickly. There's no point really in staying on to get the full masters if it's not going to help your employment prospects, especially in your circumstances.

Original poster
Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 09:28

Thank you, yes, that is an option that is worth looking into

OP posts:
horridjobescapee · 14/04/2023 09:36

vhungrycaterpillar · 14/04/2023 09:26

Is there an option to use the work you've done already to gain a PGCert /PGDip? I know this was an option for people on my masters course who had done all of the work up until the thesis but didn't want to do the thesis.
That way you can get some sort of qualification out of this but could also start working more quickly. There's no point really in staying on to get the full masters if it's not going to help your employment prospects, especially in your circumstances.

That's actually a really good suggestion.

Original poster
Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 09:41

Or else try to get it done in the 6 week notice period I have to give the nursery ...

OP posts:
horridjobescapee · 14/04/2023 09:44

How much have you done already?

Original poster
Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 09:47

Not much, I have just finished the course work last week (that is why I was just now catching up with "life admin" and found this out). I have only had preliminary discussions about it and submitted outline.

OP posts:
horridjobescapee · 14/04/2023 09:49

Ok so.

You have your title? Has it been approved?

Start doing your lit review now.

Familiarise yourself with referencing software if you haven't already - it will help massively.

Get your head around any layout and specific submission requirements.

Babyroobs · 14/04/2023 09:51

I think it's a childcare grant from the Uni that you should have applied for. Uc don't cover childcare for students.

Original poster
Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 09:53

Yes, it has been approved. I think I can do it.... I will speak to my supervisor later. This has been a huge surprise for me this morning so I need some time to process/calm down.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainpigeon · 14/04/2023 09:56

I understand from today that they don't pay! In January they were still speaking to me that they would and they have also been accepting invoices and didn't say anything. If I had known I would have had a chance to take earlier action.

OP posts:
Tealsofa · 14/04/2023 10:14

Testina · 14/04/2023 08:37

A one year Masters level course that’s had a huge change in career prospects in just 8 months? What’s the course - people may be able to suggest related careers that it might usefully feed into.

Definitely contact the university this morning about hardship funds - is it just for Apr/May/Jun that you need childcare money?

this - what is the subject?

oviraptor21 · 14/04/2023 13:42

OP told us earlier but presumably deleted for reasons of protecting identity. It seemed reasonable to suggest there was a downturn in career prospects.

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