Just done the maths....

[tapdancingmum]

And for the Spring term my DD1 with have minus £29.29 to live on .

Looks like food parcels will have to be sent. Anybody else finding the payment schedule hard going. Unfortunately, she doesn't qualify for much help as apparently we earn too much (or did in the year the workings out are based on). My DH has been off for 6 months due to cancer treatment but he still earnt about £400 to much for us to ask if they would do it on this years earnings instead.

Here's hoping it gets better next year.

It's a nightmare tapdancing but at least you know (have you had confirmation?). I have been chasing up student finance for months and still no news. My poor DD is feeling quite anxious she won't be able to move into halls or take up her place on the course if finance is not in place, despite my reassurances that this happens to so many new students every year.

Also, can you let her uni know that you are struggling financially to see what they can offer independently of SF?

I'm sure you have but thought I'd mention it.

Get your DD to talk to student finance at her uni. They will know about/be able to point her in the direction of hardship funds (etc) and other little pots of joy that aren't shouted about.

I hadn't thought about that - will get onto it on Monday. Am hoping that as she has paid some money in she can get her hands on her overdraft.

We have had confirmation as we got a letter from the bank saying her first payment for accommodation was refused as there wasn't enough money in but hope to have rectified this and will be able to pay it.

There are lots of small pots of money around if you search. DD's uni gives busary's for accommodation to students from low income families. DD applied for and received a scholarship of £1k per annum from a finance company and also receives £250 per annum from a local educational foundation. Every bit helps!

Also if your earnings have dropped by 15%, you should apply for a current year assessment - ring student finance.

Does DD work? Most students I know have part time jobs to help fund themselves through uni.

We spoke to student finance on friday they should be releasing funds on 15th, dd accommodation is due 21st or somewhere round there ?, is your dd in halls now ? Seems early for halls bills to be due ?

Speak to Student Services/Finance at the uni and check their website for details of hardship funds. I've just graduated and got £1800+ every year of my studies through my uni's hardship/access to learning fund due to being a single mum/mature student. They ask for a lot of evidence and a full statement of income/outgoings but it's worth it.

Is she applying for jobs whilst she is at Uni or do your calculations take that into account?

How about she tries to line up a Xmas job now? That might take done of the pressure off.

If it's of any comfort I've been suprised at how little my DC live off.

Unfortunately, sometimes, the maths just doesn't add up

My DDs friend had a similar situation and during freshers managed to get a job with a club (promotional work I think). Disadvantage is she has to be back a week before freshers in her year 2 to be ready to work a lot during freshers. She turned it to her advantage and has stayed at the uni town almost all summer and worked for them even more.

She earned enough to fund herself through year one. She hit a bit of a cashflow problem when she had to find her deposit for her second year house - they booked them in January! However she was able to borrow from her grandparents to help get over that blip.

Hopefully she will be able to get some part time local work to see her through.

Just had another look at the maths and she looks like she will have £35 a week to live on until April

Oh well no Christmas presents for us this year then......