Cost of kids at university

[MumofCandR]

I have 2 kids one may be in university in around 4 years and the other in 6 years. I'm trying to estimate how much to save up to help them through and I can't work out what's a reasonable amount. We are high earners so would only qualify for the minimum grants/ loans. I currently spend around 125 each a month on clubs and similar each on food. Clothes probably average 50 month each so probably 300 month spend per child that we won't have when they're at university. Did you contribute more when they went to University and was this significantly more? I'm thinking it's probably going to be 800-1000 month per child on top of maximum loans, does that seem reasonable?

That’s exactly what we’ve done. They have to have a part time job and they are expected to get as close to full time work as possible when home. In exchange for this, they are funded by us for tuition, accommodation, and expenses (minus what they earn) and don’t have to apply for student loans.

It really comes down to your personal preferences and your children’s, along with setting budgets based on what’s necessary. It’s a very individual choice, not a group decision, unless you talk to parents whose children attend the universities you’re considering and whose students enjoy the lifestyle and quality of life you want for your own children. There’s a lot to think about. You and your children must talk things over and use the internet wisely to inform yourselves and make the best choices within your own means.

My eldest is a few years away from starting either university or vocational college, and since both are within commuting distance, he’ll live at home while we cover all his expenses, including tuition. Any personal interest activities, though, will be his responsibility to fund. We’ve decided to treat university or college much like a day private school since, for us, there’s no real difference.

DD gets the minimum loan
We pay her rent (£650 pm) and I send her the odd £50 and Sains voucher
We also pay her phone, dental and gym membership.
She doesn't drink or go out much but eats well (veggie)

My daughter was in Liverpool. The first 3 years (she swapped courses after Year1) we gave her money each term to bridge the difference between what student finance gave her and the max maintenance loan (probably about £3000.) She also had savings we put aside for all our kids that she dipped into plus she worked the summers. The last year though she received less maintenance loan so we ended up paying her £6,000 rent instead. My mum also gave her £100 per month too. I think we ended up giving her about £20,000. Her student debt is about £61,000 but obviously interest is being added.

Dd has the minimum maintenance loan. She uses this to pay for accommodation and we make up the shortfall. We cover the cost of her phone and car. We also give her £500 a month. She has a part time job, she works one 12 hour shift a week for which she gets paid between £100 and £150.
When she comes home she pretty much works full time as a bar supervisor she has a decent amount of savings but also goes out quite a bit and has a few holidays a year!