Dh going to uni aged 58 - worried about money!

[Meowsmol]

Dh had to stop working 3 years ago due to a disability, FND. He was high up in IT but can't do it as his hands don't work properly anymore.
He now wants to do a psychology degree looking at neurodiversity. he's thinking about some sort of business/ coaching thing.
He called me today to tell me he's been accepted onto the course and they'll help him with student finance.
We have 2 children 1 in last year of college in sept so looking at 2026 uni. She wants to do forensics and biomedical science. So will need a fee loan and maintenance loan.
Ds is starting college in September for a level.
I'm the only one working. Dh gets pip. But I can't see how we can make this happen.
We rent and my dm has recently been diagnosed with dementia and df has mobility issues.
My brain is broken.

it means functionally no one over 45 will ever have to pay any of their student loan back

How do you work that one out?

I think you're probably correct that people over about 45 won't pay back their loan in most cases. The treasury won't be too bothered because the numbers of people doing a degree funded by student finance at that age are low. Firstly because for most the loss of wages will make it unappealing and secondly because many of those who enjoy academic life enough to want to do a degree at that age will already have a degree and hence not qualify for student finance.

As for running and funding a household with 3 students in it, I do something similar to that currently (one at 6th form, one NEET, one university student) and it's not too financially onerous. The student has loans and a part time job, I fully fund the others. I'm not an especially high earner, single parent who qualifies for child benefit for the youngest.

@Almostwelsh Ah I see. I don’t see this as “free”, but I get what you’re saying.

BA & (taught) MA in my 40s. I was financed, but I still burned through £40k savings & worked evenings/weekends in a warehouse (mortgaged lone mother). No way would I have done it if it hadn't have meant a well paid career at the end of it all.

I wouldn't support this. You've supported the family for 3 years, now he wants to do a degree so another 3 years, then professional qualifications so more time. When is it your turn?

Surely organisations want people with experience?

He sounds feckless. He's earned all that money as a contractor and not paid into a pension. What did he think would happen? You would support him?

I did my degree whilst working full time because I couldn't afford not to. He needs to get a job.

He needs to get a job.

We’ve already established that the likelihood of anyone giving him a job is about the same as finding fairies at the bottom of your garden.

He is crazy. Why now at 58?.

If he has a disability he can get help via yes to jobs through the job center to help find him a job.

Why not now at 58? He is not dead yet

In a work setting you would be considered a liability. At university, they would school an ambulance.