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Higher education

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Original poster

How much money to give DD a month at University?

205 replies

tactum · 11/08/2021 23:01

I really do realise this is a very lucky position to be in that we can afford to think about it....

How much money will you give your kid a month at uni? Obv have basic loans in the bag, and we've said we'll make up the shortfall on the accommodation costs, but that basically leaves her with 0 living income. She's hopefully transferring to a job at uni that will earn her £30 per week.

I'm thinking give her £300 per month?? I'm not sure. I really do obviously realise we're fortunate to be able to give her this, and don't want to discourage her from getting job as I think that's important but just wondered what the general consensus was from people in the position to subsidise. Please don't flame me for being able to.....

OP posts:
Ginmakesitallok · 12/08/2021 08:29

Dd is getting the minimum loan and we're paying for her accommodation (with generous contribution from her granny). Think we'll continue with the £100 a month standing order for her and we pay her phone. She's a lucky girl.

Kiduknot · 12/08/2021 08:30

We are intending paying for accommodation and then he needs to budget the minimum loan for the rest.

qualitygirl · 12/08/2021 08:35

30 per week? Surely she could do more hours or get another job?
The whole way through college I had a weekend job @7 per hour.
I did an average of 20 hours over a weekend which gave me 140ish in wages and then tips were another 150ish (high end restaurant!)
And that was 17-18 years ago!!!

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 12/08/2021 08:36

@Lazypuppy, he is a saver, has thousands in savings, reluctant to spend on frivolity which is what he would consider spending £75 on one night out to be. Will happily go out with mates but detests clubbing, prefers a meal and a good chat. Appalled that a can of his favourite alcoholic drink is £1 from the supermarket but cost him £4+ for a pint of it in the pub when away in the UK with mates. I was the same at uni, no big spends, but that was a lack of money, still had an absolute blast.

Fortunately here he has like minded friends and will no doubt find the same sorts of people at uni too.

Maharajah20 · 12/08/2021 08:37

@Christmasfairy2020

Can't you just pay for the accommodation fully
This.

What she has left of student loan she lives off.

qualitygirl · 12/08/2021 08:37

Forgot to say the 150 extra was in tips.

Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 12/08/2021 08:39

@ThymeafterThyme

Thanks *@hellcatspangle*

Those of you talking about them getting jobs in bars; are you comfortable with your daughters taking public transport back to halls late at night?

My son works in a bar until 4.30am and then walks 40 minutes home. I hate it but he is an adult and that is his choice.
Medievalist · 12/08/2021 08:43

We've always paid rent, phone, gym and then dcs live off maintenance loan.

BeyondMyWits · 12/08/2021 08:47

We have 2 Dds at different unis with very different accommodation costs.

So the fairest way for us was, we pay for the roof over their head, they live off the minimum maintenance loan. Means they each have the same basic amount to live on, and if they want more they can work for it.

Abraxan · 12/08/2021 08:48

We give DD £400 a month, all year round.
She has a CC on our account for train travel and for emergency use (use is agreed with us beforehand.)
We also pay for her phone (usually a birthday or Christmas gift) and the monthly sim only contract.

She has more than enough, and is able to save some for things like presents and holidays.

Abraxan · 12/08/2021 08:50

DD's loan pays her accommodation which we top to the full amount, in top of the monthly money. She has a loan for her fees.

GameSetMatch · 12/08/2021 08:52

I’d probably buy her an online shop weekly and then £150 for spends per month.

54321nought · 12/08/2021 08:54

@GameSetMatch

I’d probably buy her an online shop weekly and then £150 for spends per month.
I think if someone is capable of getting a degree, they are capable of doing their own shopping....
Abraxan · 12/08/2021 08:55

And Dd does have a car but due to covid hasn't been able to finish her lessons and pass yet. They restart in September, so her car remains at home.

She will 'need' it quite possibly for school placements.

Yes, she could use public transport but the reality is that having a car gives her more opportunities for different placements, and makes the commute much easier. The placements can be a long way away and could easily be 1.5 hours each way. They aren't placed in the middle of city centres so need a mix of buses and trains, After a full day work, plus with work to do in the evenings, it makes life far more pleasant to have her car during those times,

I wouldn't want a 90+ minute bus/train commute for work and don't think it's 'character building' to insist Dd does, if she doesn't have to.

atleastitswarm · 12/08/2021 08:55

As PPs have said, we paid DD’s accommodation and she lived off student loan. DD’s accomodation was £400ish though so it wasn’t massively more expensive than giving her an allowance. I quite liked this approach as it taught her to handle and budget her own money. Rather than knowing I’d be transferring her £100 each week, she got her student loan instalment at the start of every term and had to make it last. The first term she blew it all in a matter of weeks … and never did it again when she realised how screwed she was Grin

54321nought · 12/08/2021 08:56

@Abraxan

We give DD £400 a month, all year round. She has a CC on our account for train travel and for emergency use (use is agreed with us beforehand.) We also pay for her phone (usually a birthday or Christmas gift) and the monthly sim only contract.

She has more than enough, and is able to save some for things like presents and holidays.

What do you mean usually a birthday or Christmas gift.

How often does her phone get replaced?

StiggyZardust · 12/08/2021 08:57

We're planning on giving DS £350 a month. We're going to pay his rent, phone and travel costs. He's only taking a loan for the fees.
We are very fortunate to be in this position, and he is an only child.

Abraxan · 12/08/2021 08:57

Like me, she has a new online every 2-3 years. Though until last couple that was due to the 3 year contacts.

That is our choice. A phone for a Christmas present every 3-3 years isn't particularly unusual, ime.

Abraxan · 12/08/2021 08:58

That should say phone - keeps autocorrecting your online!

TheMarzipanDildo · 12/08/2021 09:01

@qualitygirl

30 per week? Surely she could do more hours or get another job? The whole way through college I had a weekend job *@7* per hour. I did an average of 20 hours over a weekend which gave me 140ish in wages and then tips were another 150ish (high end restaurant!) And that was 17-18 years ago!!!
My uni tells us not to work more than 14 hours a week.
alsonotmyname · 12/08/2021 09:03

We pay the remaining rent and paid £30 a week last year plus his phone - this year we won't be paying the weekly amount as he has worked all summer and we simply can't afford it as I have worked much less this year due to the pandemic.

TheMarzipanDildo · 12/08/2021 09:03

Although I suppose if it’s all fitted in to a weekend it’s a bit different

LIZS · 12/08/2021 09:05

Forgot we also pay dd phone.

Ellie012 · 12/08/2021 09:05

As someone who wasn't in the position to receive £ from parents, I think this is lovely for you to do for your kids! If you've got the means to then why not. One day I hope to be able to do the same.

I went 10 years ago and so understand costs have gone up but just for an idea, I lived off a shopping budget of £20 per week (including food, cleaning supplies/household supplies). I walked everywhere, even though one of my campuses was 2 miles away but sometimes managed to grab a lift from one of the other girls in halls.

Nights out were tight but it's pretty standard that student nights (weeknights) out are cheap, could easily have a good night for £20 with pre drinks in halls (oh, the good old days!!) Grin

So yep, I think £300 a month would be plenty especially if she's working herself Smile x

AuntieMarys · 12/08/2021 09:09

Mine got £1000 a term. London University.