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

It’s not just food and socialisation. The big cost is accommodation. That needs to come out of the money as well.

We gave our eldest about £50 pw (10 years ago).
He got the minimum loan but worked holidays to build up funds.
He had a great time - we gave him more when we could.
Lots of students work to make up the difference.
Not having a single room can also bring down costs.

@titchy

😮😮😮

wowzers. Why so rude and angry??

Well then, time for her to do some research into where she’d like to study and what courses she really wants.

Then you’ll have some facts to work with.

And start saving up now. Every little helps.

Encourage your Dd to apply to more places. My DC applied to 20-30 before getting something. It’s min wage for their age, £5.28/hr, but the tips are pretty good and i would say just getting out there and having the experience of work as been a huge benefit. And something to add to the personal statement.

DC is likely to end up at the local uni as it looks to be the best for their chosen course. Won’t get into halls as live locally but hopefully will move into a flat when everyone else is.

She doesn't seem to mind what uni she goes to and isn't bothered about the best uni preferring to go with one she knows she can get into. She wants to do computer science

OP, university is too expensive and important an undertaking to take this laid back an approach to. Most people only ever do one undergraduate degree - so make sure your daughter makes a well thought through decision (e.g. in terms of what the course covers, subsidiary subjects, how teaching is delivered, the reputation of the course with potential employers, physical location such as city versus campus uni etc etc). I work in higher education and courses/unis are definitely not equal.

I have 2 daughters at uni currently. Both get just above minimum student maintenance loan. We make up the difference. We did save up a fair bit over the years towards their education... but... practically, what we have done that has helped was

Look local. Neither wanted to stay local in the end, but one Dd is an hour away by train, the other 2 and a half. Easy to get home for a long weekend.(especially with a railcard).

Gap year. Both took on a job for a year, this has provided a lot of the "I'm not giving you money for that" money ... trips with friends etc, as well as towards rent. One has social issues and worked on phone lines for virgin during covid which was a baptism of fire. The other worked in a pharmacy, out back, putting pills in doset boxes. She now does exam invitation at a local school, and for the 6th form college - quick training, rewarding, much needed job, fits after her exams, before summer break
Both made over minimum wage for a year.

One is looking to teach, bursaries are available.

Where there's a will to do it, a way can usually be found. We are at 2 years to go. It's a pinch, but there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Would also suggest apprenticeship route for programming. Look at Civil service, GCHQ, local school IT departments as well as any bigger firms with local HQs. It is an adventure, good luck.

Any idea where I find these ?

Why should she?

Does she have an EHCP? She would be entitled to disabled students allowance...

Abertay is one of the best Unis for computer programming. Dundee is a cheap city to live in with plenty of student jobs available. Downside is it's a 4 year Hons course because it's Scottish.

Which uni is £100 per week please?

If your DS is autistic he may be eligible for a bursary.

Maybe defer for a year and they try for a job. It’s tough, I was going to get an evening job to help pay but his dad has funded it in the end

If you want your kids to go to university and they are smart enough, it is within your means to make this happen.

Kids take a gap year and get a job. They should be able to save 10K

You release equity from your home/remortage.

If you are part time and physically able, you might be able to pick up a shift in a local care home (which is also a good job for young people to do as well; better than Tescos)

...and tell your husband to shut up

Well that shouldn't stop her applying should it.

Lol

OP there are plenty of families who can't afford for their children to move away for university.
It's not the end of the world and they CAN still go if they go to a Uni they can travel to from home.
Your DC just need to accept that's the reality of the situation for your family and focus on finding the best course they can at a Uni near home

Dd should apply you might not be able to afford all the money you should contribute but surely you could give some? Plus unis help students get part time jobs, often within the uni itself.

The What I wish I knew about University Fb group did a list recently of costs of accommodation and it varied hugely

She’s gone to Sheffield Hallam.