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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that £500 a month is enough for a child at uni

555 replies

FunnysInLaJardin · 04/02/2024 20:39

we will pay his accommodation and his tuition fees will be paid, so this will just be for food and travel etc

OP posts:
PSEnny · 04/02/2024 20:40

I would say yes it is, can get a part time or weekend bar job if they want more.

Unmute · 04/02/2024 20:42

That's loads. DS has £300ish, but it doesn't have to cover travel.

MoominGang · 04/02/2024 20:43

We pay accommodation and uni fees are covered. They get £50 per week and have summer jobs to cover the rest. Also in Scotland so have free bus pass which helps greatly.

Canonlythinkofthisone · 04/02/2024 20:43

Jesus
More than enough.
Unless he eats Caviar daily?

cakeorwine · 04/02/2024 20:43

What maintenance loan does he get?

If you describe his income - and then expenditure you will pay for, then that will give a better idea.

Hesleepswiththefishes · 04/02/2024 20:45

Yes this is what mine gets

covers food and some subs

we don’t pay phone/travel etc

cloudtree · 04/02/2024 20:45

That’s how much we give DS1. He’s at a cheaper northern university and his flat mates are all on about the same. It works out roughly the same as if he was on maximum maintenance loan.

DisforDarkChocolate · 04/02/2024 20:46

Way more than mine has. I strongly think most students should have to earn some money while they study, it does them good and gets them ready for work after university.

It also stops them boring interviews telling them about the DoE expedition.

Tangled123 · 04/02/2024 20:46

Do they have a car? How much travelling do they have to do? I think it’s doable if they are mindful of what they’re spending and don’t go on too many expensive nights out.

Hesleepswiththefishes · 04/02/2024 20:47

Clothes
societies
travel home
course extras

if separate will add up

eggbot · 04/02/2024 20:48

Yes! What on earth? That's more we spend on food for me, my husband and a toddler in a month!

eduwot · 04/02/2024 20:48

Mine gets £200. I wish I hadn't read this. Makes me feel bad!

Iscreamtea · 04/02/2024 20:48

Is this on top of student loan or including or instead of?

Mine gets the minimum loan and we pay accommodation including bills. That's been plenty.

cakeorwine · 04/02/2024 20:49

eduwot · 04/02/2024 20:48

Mine gets £200. I wish I hadn't read this. Makes me feel bad!

But does that include a loan?

I am guessing the OP's son does not get a maintenance loan - so instead they give £500 a month AND pay for accommodation?

Hesleepswiththefishes · 04/02/2024 20:49

DisforDarkChocolate · 04/02/2024 20:46

Way more than mine has. I strongly think most students should have to earn some money while they study, it does them good and gets them ready for work after university.

It also stops them boring interviews telling them about the DoE expedition.

I had a job at uni husband didnt

some courses you cannot have a job you don’t have the time

my son has lectures/labs all day all week and a lot of course work and he is exhausted

if he had to work on a fri/sat night he would not be well

Hesleepswiththefishes · 04/02/2024 20:51

eggbot · 04/02/2024 20:48

Yes! What on earth? That's more we spend on food for me, my husband and a toddler in a month!

What about phones/travel/entertainment/clothes…it’s not just food

ChocoChocoLatte · 04/02/2024 20:53

eduwot · 04/02/2024 20:48

Mine gets £200. I wish I hadn't read this. Makes me feel bad!

I'm worse. Mine gets an occasional ASDA shop and earns to pay everything else herself.

£500?!? <faints>

Thatcat · 04/02/2024 20:54

And is this on top of a student loan?

Honestly think that’s a bit much, OP. As some folks have said, that’s household budget for a family.

But all depends on how well off you are and what requirements they have, e.g travel

cloudtree · 04/02/2024 20:54

Yes. Should clarify. Ds gets minimum Maintenance Loan (circa £4500). It doesn’t cover his rent in halls. We top up so that his rent is covered and then give him £500 a month to live on (term time only). This roughly equates to maximum loan. He will work over the summer to top it up.

eduwot · 04/02/2024 20:55

@cakeorwine I read it as OP will pay accommodation and tuition fees are paid, so £500 for food etc?
My dc has maintenance loan, but it is gone completely on accommodation.

CrocusSnowdrop · 04/02/2024 20:56

Dsis I believe gets £150 a month, and her maintenance loan covers her accommodation/ bills. It's plenty for food and the odd coffee etc, she doesn't go out drinking but if she did she could earn it.
ETA she also gets a big shop paid for at the start of each term, so she doesn't have to buy storecupboard items out of that

cloudtree · 04/02/2024 20:57

Basically you can’t assess properly without knowing how much loan they get. They broadly need £10-£11k per year unless in London. Some will get maximum Loan which means their parents hardly contribute anything. Others will get minimum loan and will need about £500 a month top up.

eggbot · 04/02/2024 20:58

Hesleepswiththefishes · 04/02/2024 20:51

What about phones/travel/entertainment/clothes…it’s not just food

Show quote history

So what £200 for food leaving £300 for 1 x phone, how much travel, entertainment and clothes does one person need in ONE MONTH

Dobbyismyabsolutefav · 04/02/2024 20:59

Yes a uni student can manage on this. I assume that this has to cover food, socialising, travel, society fees, toiletries, haircuts and course books/equipment etc.

Londonrach1 · 04/02/2024 21:02

I was working in clinic from 8-6 when in uni. .got wed afternoon off..finished 1pm. But had assessments I needed to get in or else I'd fail. No way I could have a job in the uni term time. I worked during the holidays if I wasn't on placement... luckily I had a grant to help. Feel I missed out on uni life as spent it in clinic or lectures. £500 totally ok