Nursing degree and finance

[Indyred]

Hi
i am hoping to do my children’s nursing degree starting in September 25. I am so anxious about finances and just can’t get my head around it all. Im single with 2 children. I currently work full time for the NHS, and have a mortgage. I claim universal credit and also get the DLA element of UC.
i have applied for the maximum amount in maintenance loan and I’m aware there’s a bursary for nursing, however I keep reading that UC is significantly reduced if you’re a full time student. I’m really struggling with trying to work out what I’ll be entitled to and really want to be able to go in knowing as much as possible. I have called UC but they don’t tell me much.
I do not need the childcare element just what I’ve listed above.
can anyone please give me examples of what you were entitled to in a similar situation. Thanks

I recently applied for student loan and have 2 dependents and I’m a single parent. Including various bursaries the amount offered was about 10k. I believe this is counted as income/earnings by UC and the amount eligible from them reduced accordingly.

Its very complicated.

assuming you are in England:

So student finance is deducted but it depends on circumstances. If you get special circumstances on your sfe award that is disregarded, the remainder is divided by months in course which for nursing is generally 12, then deduct 110, that’s the figure deducted from your UC. I ended up with around £600 a month deducted. But it depends on whether you get the special circumstances - i did as a single parent.

the bursary is not a bursary. Its a learning grant, its important to call it that. Bursaries are deductible by UC, learner grants are not. You need to inform UC you are getting it but do not call it a bursary on any thing, its a learning grant.

The biggest issue is the UC training is dire and it can be a battle in itself. I would write out the entire calculation on the journal stating exactly what should be deducted and that seemed to work.

I was better off as a student as a single mum of 3 then i was on NQN wage, the finance worked well, i didnt need childcare either as i waited for my youngest to start secondary school before going to uni. But it is a battle and it varies between people.

Have you looked at any apprenticeship options in your area? It would be too late for this year but would save you the fees for self funding.

Where I live there are (limited!) options for nurse associate apprenticeships and very occasionally full degree apprenticeships.

Thanks for your responses. It’s all so overwhelming and stressful.
so just to make sure I’m working it out correctly for UC
if I receive the maximum loan of 13.000 it would be
13000/12 =1,083.333
1,083.33 - 110 = 977.33
my uc amount for example 1500 - 977.33 would be the amount I would receive or there about?

ive explored apprenticeship options but there isn’t anything available where I am unfortunately

As a single parent you should get special circumstances which is also disregarded too but you need to apply to get the exact amounts

What about the nurse associate route. You'd get band 3 for two years then band 4. You'll then be able to do a top up.

Also the max loan is different for nursing and AHP courses etc as they are over 12 months not the usual 9. If you have a place confirmed for sept apply for the finance to get the accurate amounts and then you can do the calculation. If you decide not to go for whatever reason you can withdraw it and it wont affect any future applications. But until
u apply and see the figure and what special circumstances you get its hard to know for certain. But my deductions in similar situation was £600ish a month