Minimum Maintenance Loan but we just cant afford the shortfall!

[JufusMum]

Hi all - looking for some advice. Because of DH salary we just about fall into the bracket where DD will get the minimum maintenance load (about £4300). The fact is that doesn't even cover her rent let alone food and travel, so we are wondering what we do? I understand parental contribution but with our bills, even though DH has a decent salary I only earn a very small amount and I am not sure where this extra £4-5k a year is going to spring from. I am considering weekend/evening jobs and looking at scholarships/bursaries but most are means tested. How do "middle earners" cope?

If you're doing business miles it is potentially a lot cheaper to give up a company car and use your own - and claim tax relief for the business miles. You could be saving thousands doing this depending on how many miles a year you do - even if the company won't swap company car for a car allowance (Although its usually much cheaper for them to do that too, so I'd definitely check with them)

By the sounds of it 90% of the mileage done is commuting. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I can't get past the 300 quid a week on fuel, that's a commute on average of 600 miles a day. At least five hours drive to work and back again, which is ten mile commute daily.

Sorry ten hour.

Can’t possibly be right.

I don’t understand why your DD thinks an expensive hobby is more important than eating and paying bills? She will have to prioritise and her hobby is a lower priority than basic living costs. Or she could live at home and work for a year to save up enough to pay the cost of her hobby for the next three years?

When I went to uni (2011-2015) I received the minimum maintenance loan as my parents were only just over the bracket. My loan didn't cover my rent, bills, food, car etc and my parents couldn't contribute financially as they have 3 other DC. I got a job on weekends and week nights doing care work and this supplemented the additional rent and bills. I also volunteered as a special Constable whilst attending uni full time, working 30+ hours a week and I managed. I didn't have the best experience at uni but I survived and came out with a 2:1. It can be done, you just have to suck up the fact that you won't be able to go out every week, or have little luxuries.

If you're doing business miles it is potentially a lot cheaper to give up a company car and use your own - and claim tax relief for the business miles

I was thinking this too. Or take a car allowance instead of a car. Yes you;ll be taxed on the car allowance but what's left can pay your dd's accommodation.

I am with you with the hobby though - you can't give up everything in life, although your dd will need to work a bit, even if its only in the holidays. I also think, subject other childcare/care commitments you could increase your hours. I work freelance but may well have to consider going back to a FT "proper" job while DS is at uni.

I have read and re read this post several times hence the delay in responding.
I have a different take altogether so please forgive me if I am way too left field!
£60, 000 income is way more than ours and DD gets the minimum loan.
Is this really a finance issue?
I do not know how so much money goes on fuel/ car for your DP. I agree with other posts that you should maybe look into it.
However, you have one child, you spend 1.5 hrs each way on school travel. Your DP is driving many hours each day - really? If the DD goes your family life will change dramatically- if she gets the car then she will be able to support you emotionally as she can get home or to dancing stuff. Friends who did dancing classes etc with their DD's had a big social thing with it, other Mum's, loads of posts 'didn't xxx look fabulous in the costume you made her for Saturday's show/ competition' etc. If this goes you both lose social experiences.
Is your DH really on the road?
Many years ago I worked in education. One group of students had some mature mum's in it. One mum had 3 kids and husband in the forces- due to leave so on courses to prepare for civvi street. The course was near home- great, then after 2 weeks it was moved to another part of the country. - happened several times. They were poor! Really poor.
Apparently after 16yrs in forces job he still only earned less than £16, 000 pa.
One day another student said to me " how are we going to tell her" even the 16/17 years olds had worked it out.
Hope this isn't the case for you but perhaps your post was not entirely finance related.
I know this is harsh and it's not designed to offend but there are always many interpretations and this type of forum only allows for discussion around the info provided by the OP
All the best with addressing it, whatever the issue

Gosh OP, I'd like to understand this. Facts are, I think

Dad earns £60k/annum gross. Or basic £43,335 after tax.
Take home = 3600/month.
He drives 250 miles/day (typically).
He pays £800 direct on petrol & an additional £1300/month as tax for having the company car.
3600 - 2100 = 1500 is his actual profit after work-tax & petrol expenses. But before mortgage or life or car repairs.

That's hardly more than minimum wage. How miserable he must be!