Preparing for Uni in 2015 continues...

[Chillywhippet]

New thread

Old one here with loads of info

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/2408327-Preparing-for-Uni-in-2015

I'm another who gave up on HC1 but after your post bobs123 I might just have another look - very helpful!

Where do I get this form HC1 please?

That's good about the not shiny bikes - thanks :) We have remarkably little done here except black suit and a lamp. Since everything has to come back each term I'm not exactly encouraging excess. May have gone too far in the other direction....

The link I put in earlier says Jobcentre, possibly GP surgeries. Not trid yet though.
And DD still NOT yet registered Grrrr.

horsemad you can get it from your GP surgery or dentist or you can order one on line to be sent - but goodness knows how long that would take to come! Probably available at the Jobcentre too as they deal with benefits.

WTF can't you just download them like most other official forms these days.

Re the messages about NHS dental treatment. I'm sure it's free until the 19th birthday.......That's what happens at our dentist. After that they have to fill the form in.

nagynolonger, I'm pretty sure that's what our dentist said too and the optician definitely said free until 19. DS not 19 until July, and has a dental checkup booked for Dec, so should get one more free checkup after that one before he turns 19.

Not sure where our nearest Jobcentre is so will try the dentist/GP.

The form is far from clear so we really had to take our time filling it in. Also I was led to believe that the free care/prescriptions is only until the end of August in Year 13 (so August just past). My pharmacist said every student should fill one is regardless as they may be entitled to at least some help.

Still not heard from DS since Sunday but I think he hasn't topped up his phone.

Yes circular they only have to mention anything they are/will/have earned job-wise in the previous 7 days. So any DC hoping to get a job at uni, apply for HC1 first, then get a job! And even if they made squillions over the summer , they do not need to declare this income.

We got our form from the dentist - they always seem the most helpful and knowledgeable. I would suggest getting a couple of extra forms and make a master copy to refer to every year - makes things a lot easier! If anyone has any questions, do ask. I'm not by any means an expert but did get to grips with it eventually.

Or order them from here if in England (download if in Scotland) www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts/1128.aspx

Ludicrous that it is not downloadable in England/Wales!

I picked up a form at my local chemist over the summer. Haven't had the courage to tackle it yet. Dd has an inheritance sitting in the building society. She can't have it until she's 21 but I assumed it would wipe out her eligibility. I'll have to read it again, if I can find the very safe place I put it.

I ordered online from Bob's link and it came within a week. Now ds or rather I just has to fill it in

Today was Book Crisis Day and my (busy) afternoon at work was interleaved with dealing with requests such as: "They've listed 6th edition but it's £27 and I've found the 5th for £5 do you think it will be ok?" (Answer: not s clue); and "this module recommends 26 books, I'll have to live in the library!"

DS has finally started to pack for this weekend although this seemed to mostly consist of sorting out guitars

August I too haven't heard from DS either - last time was Friday. I can see he has been online though on Whatsapp, that's something I suppose...

No books here

£75 worth of books so far - but paid our of a bursary she won

DD bought some books off Amazon Marketplace before she left. Rule of thumb is that most books can be found in the library - and her halls are a stone's throw away .

We've had quite regular updates - mostly via group Whatsapp. Her flatmates are nice but quiet so she's been going out with the flat above. It sounds like she's made the most of freshers week so far

On DD's college list of what not to bring it mentioned books, said to go to the library. She got a few cheapy old copies on Amazon of basic texts but nothing more.
Molio it was the bike rack that was expensive not the bike, I think DH is toying with becoming a MAMIL to justify the investment.
It all seems very real now, I was reading a novel while waiting in the train station yesterday and it mentioned a child leaving home and tears started rolling down my face. DH was horrified when he met me because I had mascara all down my cheeks I'd been doing so well too
Off with DD today for lunch out and toiletries shopping before her last night at work. We've barely seen each other so will be lovely to have a little time together-got to drag her out of bed first though.

Asked DS yesterday if he had been given a book listed yet. He said he'd been told of 'a couple' of books that he needs which he will get 'soon' Told him to get onto it asap so that if there are any cheap books around he'll get to them 1st rather than having to buy new at full price. His grandparents are putting some money into his account today so he can use that to buy books.

He also said last night that the wifi in his room is not very good and he needs to use his data allowance on his phone to access the internet. This means he has used up his month's data allowance in 2 weeks . DH checked the contract usage - me and DH have hardly used any data whilst DS's usage is massive. DS claims it is the use of Facebook and Whatsapp that is causing it. We suspect it is DS's usage of games that is the problem but he is denying this. Amazingly he says he can get internet on his laptop in his room - we Skyped him the other day and whilst it wasn't a briliant connection it was adequate. DH has (possibly foolishly) upped the cap on DS's data limit. I think he needs to get off the games and get on with some work!

DD2 has similarly gone through 2 GB in ten days (poor wifi ! I tracked her usage and it's mostly snapchat and FB. I think the snapchat video stores use up loads. It costs a fortune f you go over but I managed to change her contract so 4GB are added (6 in total) for 5.50 extra a month with Vodafone (coming out of her allowance) It's seems to be cheaper to plan and pay for more than just go slightly over some months.