Single mum wanting to go to UNi - Advice

[LizzyL25]

Hi,

im a single mum to 2 children under 5. I’m currently living with my parents and want to do a degree through the Open University.

I currently work part-time and receive UV top up.

I was wondering if anyone had been in a similar situation to me and could help me understand the support you receive during the course of the degree.

I know there is grants, loans and bursaries but is there anything else that I should know to claim or support I can receive before I apply as I don’t want to make myself worse off financially.

thank you

I'm just finishing an OU degree, and there is no additional financial support. You can get a student loan for tuition fees but not for maintenance. I do receive £160 per year for paper and ink because I'm autistic but that's a separate grant.

If you did get a maintenance loan, which is available to ou students if they’re at ou and distance learning due to a disability, then any maintenance loan you receive would be counted as income and your UC would drop

Have you thought about a degree apprenticeship where you work 80% of the time and study 20% of the time for your degree?

Thank you @LifeBeginsToday i have looked online and I can see there is quite a bit because available for part time and full time students also for having children.

Thank you @margaritabonita thats a really good idea! I will see if they have them in the field I want to study!

@Holycowss yes I did see that thank you. Just trying to understand it all ☺️

i dont want to put you off, I did it myself, but maintenance loan while on UC is a nightmare. I did mine part time, if I’d done full time I would’ve been eligible for the maintenance loan, and then whether I applied and received it or not, UC would have assessed me as having that income. Which would’ve ended my UC full stop, so no help with rent ect

I’ve done a masters and PhD as a single parent. It’s hard hard work and a tough slog but well worth it. I self-funded my masters but got my PhD student ship fully funded with a stipend (worked out more than my salary before I quit because it’s tax free). Doing a degree may well open other doors, enable you to get a more highly paid job (depending on the subject). Or at the very least, you’re doing something for yourself to use your brain.

I had a really tough time doing it through Covid plus leaving abusive relationship and going through family court trauma. My university actually supported me so much through counselling etc, and there is financial support that may not be publicised. For instance, cost of living support funds can give you non-repayable grants and prioritise single parents. Good luck with it all xx