What financial help is available for lone parent students in Scotland?

[curiositykitten]

Hi I am wondering if anyone here will be able to advise me from a 'been them/am there... done that/doing that' level.

I am a lone parent to 2 DC - one school age, one not due to start school until August 2013.

The jobcentre haven't been able to advise me at all on this.

If I go to university (4 year course), what funding/benefits am I likely to get?

I currently get: housing benefit, partial council tax benefit, income support, child benefit and child tax credits.

I think being in Scotland is probably an important factor here. Any advice appreciated, thanks.

You shouldn't be entitled to income support while studying - but confusingly, it seems a bit arbitrary whether they give you it or not.

Everything else should stay the same because they're income based.

You'll also get your fees paid, you'll be entitled to a loan and one or two grants...they're all on the saas website

Uni's usually have discretionary hardship funds as well, but you'd have to look up the one you're applying to to see how to get that.

Thanks for your post tabulahrasa

I found this link earlier that explains everything in good detail, and it seems you are right, that I'll lose the income support (though littlest will be 5 by that time anyway) but should be able to claim JSA during the summer holidays at least. Everything else should stay the same.

Looks like I have no excuse and will have to commit to it then - eeeek! :o

www.opfs.org.uk/files/pubs/fs26_money-for-lone-parent-full-time-students-entering-higher-education_201107.pdf

www.opfs.org.uk/files/pubs/fs26_money-for-lone-parent-full-time-students-entering-higher-education_201107.pdf