Parental contributions. Is this idea workable?

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

DS will have the minimum maintainance loan.
If we give him a cheque to make up the difference between the minimum and the maximum maintainance loan, he should be able to manage on that if he gets a part time job - yes?

I want him to learn the value of my money.

It depends. For example

How much is his rent? What degree is he studying?, How many jobs are there?

If doing an art/social science subject it is easier to find a job that lets you attend class than if you are taking a lab based subject. Many university towns have thousands of students looking for work. Not all succeed.

Sometimes even the maximum loan doesn't cover the basics, so you need to look at income/cost of living exactly.

He's hoping to get lab work - it was mentioned in the interview day talks. I expect there's stiff competition for it though.

I've given him a budget sheet to fill out and we'll have to go from there.

I'm not hopeful for holiday jobs either as there was absolutely nothing around this summer, try as he might.

If he stays in his university town during the summer there's often lots of jobs going as the other students go home so he probably had a higher chance of finding work then, which can then carry on to term time

which city?

Molly you do realise that university towns aren't only populated by students of the local university, right?

Russians I realise that but it is a lot easier to get a job just as all the uni students go home for holidays vacancies seem to go up in every shop and cafe (but that is just my experience and I agree it might not happen everywhere)

Doesn't happen here. Most of the casual jobs are done by the FE college students, who live here all the time, or people who aren't in full or part-time education at all and need those part-time, casual jobs to make ends meet. :( I know quite a few people working the sort of hours at John Lewis and Marks and Spencer and Smiths that used to be the province of 6th formers and students when I was a kid. And in cafes, bars and restaurants too.

DD2 worked behind the student union bar for the whole of last year for some extra cash. It was great as she didn't have to sign up for shifts if she had a lot of studying to do and the bar has reduced opening times during the exams period.

They took on everyone who applied at the start of the year and then a few weeks in got rid of the people who were unreliable or generally rubbish. It was mostly second and third years but a few organised first years applied before they arrived.

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance where will he be or is that not decided yet?

DD2 didn't manage to get a job until the end of her first year, She said the only one of her friends who had a job in the first year was someone who had been working in Wetjerspoons in her home town and had been transferred.

Lets - that's exactly what we plan to do. Hope it works!

What a weekend!
DS1 is off to Southampton and tagged long to DS2's Southampton open day yesterday. He chatted lots with the people who co-ordinate student job vacanies but they can't do anything until he registers. He'll be making them the first port of call when he arrives. They were very positive about his chances of getting something (though I really want him to work in John Lewis for the staff discount )

LetsFaceTheMusic This is going to sound a bit negative, but people will often be very positive about possible job oppourtunities on open days, as they won't want to put off prospective students like DS2. The number of student jobs is always much lower than the number of students looking for them, as they are much more flexible about deadlines and exams than non-student employers.

However, there are often jobs around and not every student wants a term time job. He should also be inventive and think of other ways of making money. I know someone who does dog walking, as she is often around in the middle of the day. It is not brilliant money but helps supplement her loan.

Does he have previous paid work experience? This will really help him get a job.

Don't forget a lot of students like to give up their jobs in third year to focus on their dissertation etc, so you might have to rethink the situation again then. Also, he will only be able to work a limited number of hours without affecting his studies.

It is good to make him learn the value of money, but you may need to have a plan B if he cannot earn enough and/or he has very high rent.

I have seen posters in other threads saying how DCs must work because they have not taken out a loan. This is madness and many students cannot find work. Lots try for unpaid internships in the summer and this curtails earning potential for the summer too. Many students need to do relevant work experience to help with their future career. I have taken the view that getting a good degree is what is important and working all hours to earn money is less important. My DD 1 just going back into 4th year and not a single one of her friends has had a job in term time.