I'm feeling like uni just isn't an option for our children. It's made me very sad.

[F0XCUBs]

In tears this morning. We have two bright children. One would go to uni next year. But we can't afford it. We are middle income rather than very low or high. They would get a loan but it wouldn't cover all the rent at most unis.
DH says they have to go to local uni or do an apprenticeship and that is that. DD would really like to go to a new place from where we live.
Yes I know we should have prepared for this for years, I'm sorry I really didn't know we were expected to contribute £300-500 per month! We didn't go to uni. Between us we earn about £50.000. But don't have spare money left over.
I know they could get jobs but dd1 has applied for twelve jobs in our town and not got one. She is autistic and lacks social skills so I don't think we can rely on her getting one. Especially if there are thousands of other kids applying for the same part time jobs.
How do people afford it?! It seems so unfair that we can't give them the opportunity
When DS wants to go we definitely can't afford two lots of that money

A girl I know went to uni in the Netherlands. Much cheaper, a third of the cost of the UK.

Both my sons started apprenticeships after A Levels which allowed them to gain further qualifications and afford to rent a room in house shares.

My youngest has just started his dream job at an IT/ web design company and will have a degree when he’s finished the apprenticeship.

Its a great way to earn while learning.

We couldn’t afford to pay for university but it doesn’t mean they aren’t plenty of opportunities out there.

Actually Oxford and Cambridge are so heavily subsidised with such short terms that they are probably cheaper than many others. Rent in a catered college could easily be under £6k which is a bargain. Books, sport, music etc are often paid for through grants.

On the other hand, if you really can't afford to help, discourage them from applying to Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh or London as accommodation costs easily take up the whole of the maximum student loan available to those on the lowest income.

Many students top up their loans with jobs tutoring, bar work, retail etc. You aren't the only ones who hadn't saved for years. Do they have a Child Trust Fund savings account? Mine was a few months too old and I have no idea when they stopped.

Can your children not get student loans? I went to uni through student loans (still paying off) as my parents couldn’t afford to pay.
I also worked during the holidays.
It seems very defeatist to say they won’t go due to finances. They could also get part time work or even maybe a grant depending on the course.

Gap year job to create a cushion - if with a supermarket then they can transfer to a branch near Uni potentially. Jobs like warehouse work don’t require sociability (although prob best to work on this as will be needed eventually).

Degree Apprenticeships worth considering - the notgoingtouni website is a fount of knowledge.

You CAN make it work between you all

If she is predicted good grades, have you had a look at bursaries? Eg Hull has one that pays thousands a year.
Also OXford and Cambridge give good financial support, so I have heard.
Otherwise I agree a university close to home is better than none, if she wants to go. Maybe she could live in halls for the first year, with your support, then commute in for the next two years.

She is very talented at computer programming. I think it would be a good idea to get a degree so that she can get a job.

It's an unsaid expense and I don't know how many people I know have been caught out by it. It's going to cost us about £7500 a year.

The loans are based on parents earnings

No I don't think so. He's normally okay, just worried about finances

Well they can do that once they've got their degree and are out working or take a year or two off working and saving and then go.

What a levels is she doing?

Computer science
Maths
Graphic design

Computer programming is perfect for a degree apprenticeship. In fact I'd go so far as saying she'll probably write better code having had the experience in the workplace than people like me who learnt it all in the classroom.

Some wealthy unis/colleges give out huge grants.

Could they maybe get a job in a shop or something that isn't too daunting? The system squeezes the middle earners (and I know.one family who screw the system by playing games and reducing their income - don't start me on that )

If she’s talented are there any scholarships?

Thanks for the posts about DSA. I don't think her difficulties would be enough to qualify. She has friends and can do the work

I'm sorry but this is ridiculous.

I live in Dublin, so essentially every university course available in Ireland can be accessed.

My 3 DC know that the expectation is that they will live at home, work part-time & attend a university that is commutable.

We are very lucky that we do live where we do, and that this is an option.

There may be circumstances that prevent this happening but that is the plan.

The idea you are in tears because your DC can't move away for university when they can go locally is just silly.

Everyone I know is commuting to college/ going to local or staying in awful accommodation to be really honest with you!! Have you totally checked out all grants to make sure you’re definitely not eligible? In Ireland they’ve introduced a new scheme where they’re looking as much on your outgoings as pay

Hey @F0XCUBs based on your joint income of £50,000 your DC would get about 6k student loan (so above the minmum) and fees paid for through the loan. If they can work from now until uni part time and save they’d be able to afford it and it’s well within their reach. Don’t disappear!

But I think very competitive? She isn't competitive

I didn't get any grants and my loan didn't cover the rent. No help from parents so I worked 2 jobs alongside studying.

There's no magic solution.