OK - am I mad thinking DS will be able to go to Uni?

[Mandy2003]

He's 15, very academic, works hard when he needs to and feels he's too dyspraxic to go into engineering or anything like that. On target for A*s and As in most subjects.

He just assumes he will go to Uni. We're not worried by the idea that student loans have to be paid back, that's fair enough in the grand scheme of things.

But I am a single parent, disabled, and work part-time getting WTC. There's a lot I don't know about finances regarding going to Uni. Some people have said that loans only cover accommodation for the first year for instance.

So where would be the best place to start to look at the facts about finance?

You should get some financial support. Details here: www.gov.uk/student-finance/overview

Radio 4's Moneybox programme was a student finance special this week if you could catch it on iplayer? Sorry not to be of more help. Hope you get some good advice.

From my experience if sending my son, I think the young people who come from lower income backgrounds can be better off than the middle income ones - there are lots of bursaries and help. Disabled students allowance can provide laptops and software too if it's needed. I definitely wouldn't rule it out :)

I was just going to say that he should be able to apply for disabled students allowence. DD3 gets it and she has been provided with a laptop and printer as well as other stuff to help her in her course. She has a study support tutor once a week to help her get her work organised.

He should be able to make it work if he is determined, and there are bursaries if he does his research. It's unfair that he should have to apply for extra help but it is there if you are on a very low income. Could he live at home and study at the nearest Uni?

I am on a low income but my DS manages OK at uni. His loan/grant covers his accommodation and leaves a bit left over. He also gets a bursery from the Uni which tops up his living costs/beer fund nicely!
He would probably say he's about average among his friends - he doesn't go without anything but is realistic about what he can afford. He has worked hard all summer so has saved enough to be comfortable this year.
If you look on the Student Finance website there is a calculator to help you work out what kind of funding is available and the individual uni websites all show what bursaries they have available.
I really thought we would struggle to support DS but in reality it has worked out really well and I am very proud of how well he has managed so far!

this is a good place to start researching www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-guide

If he is able to get work in the summer he should be Ok

Your son should be entitled to two loans each year that he studies.

A tuition fee loan (paid straight to his uni)
A maintenance loan for living costs (that us paid to him).

Both of these have to be paid back bit by bit out of future earnings but if you have a low household income then he may also get a grant on top which is non repayable.

In other words, he'll be fine.

to be honest Mandy given your situation, your DS will gain full student finance funding and will be able to access lots of bursaries/grants etc.

The horror stories you read about (i.e. not having enough to cover rent) are those whose income means that they only get the minimum student finance funding as they don't take into account number of DC/outgoings/home situation just income

He will have plenty - nothing to worry about

Kids from poorer backgrounds are given quite a lot of extra financial help when they go to university. The ones who struggle are ones who get only minimum loan, no grants and no parental help. Sounds like your son will get max loan and plenty of extras.

Thanks everyone It's because I can't give him any parental help that I am concerned I think. The only single parent I know with a DC at uni - his father contributes and we're not in that position. Glad to hear it may not be necessary.

He will be in a much better position than those with better incomes! He will have access to full student loans and very likely a bursary/grant. It's the low middle earners who come off worst (we missed DD1 getting a low income bursary by DH earning £100 too much in the year!) So please don't worry.

Definitely Disabled Students Allowance is worth checking up.. he will need recent comfirmation (or reassessment) of his dyspraxia when he applies but it is worth the hassle, and Universities are very pro active generally with any special needs . My eldest has dyspraxia and dyslexia and has managed well (even tho she didn't get round to applying for DSA)

He will also be able to get a job.. most students do p/t work. DD1 is a medical student and fits in some bank health care work and DD2 is nursing, but also works p/t in retail.. it all helps and is doable :)

Student loans sound a scary prospect but actually they are a very reasonable way to get a degree :)

Thanks Medusa. He's never been formally diagnosed with Dyspraxia although he did have a diagnosis of being on the Spectrum when he was 9 years old. He got about 1 year's help at school I think, then the new SENCO calmed down (!) and it wasn't mentioned again.

No concerns have been raised in secondary school. Do you think it might be worth following up with the original team?

I am a bit concerned that he won't want to get a job in the holidays, although he managed alright with work experience. Maybe because he was working with a family member though, not with strangers which is something that worries him.

It might be worth it, but if he is getting along ok, it's unlikely they will DO much for him knowing schools and budgets! However if he has an ASD dx he can also access support that way!

To be honest I wouldn't worry now about whether he will get a job when he is 18.. there is a huge growing up gap between 15 and 18 my older three all changed hugely in that period , and he will not be the only one who finds the whole new situation tricky (and he certainly won't be the only one on the spectrum!!)For now I'd just keep encouraging to get the best GCSE grades that he can and then look at some good University prospectuses to have a look at what courses they offer :)

As everyone has said there is a lot of financial support available for students from lower income families. When he is looking at uni's it would be worth looking at what each of them offer in the way of bursaries etc as I think there is a lot of variation in what they offer.

If he has a ASD dx I think he can get the dsla as well.

It might be worth talking to the school SENCO as well, because he maybe entitled to extra support / time when he is doing his GCSE's.