Any single student mums?

[splashy]

Have recently left my husband, and am 6 months pregnant. I say left, but I didn't have much choice in it because he said he hated me and this baby for not having an abortion.

No regrets on my part, I am happy to have the baby instead of him if this is how he behaves.

Just wondered if there are any single student mums out there? I'm worried about how I will cope financially with 2 years of university left (plus I will need to take a year off when baby comes). I am studying medicine so will get NHS grant I believe.

Also any support from those in a similar position would be very much appreciated

splashy,
i was a single student mum, although i was studying part time.Financially it was a nightmare for ages as it took my uni nearly a whole academic year to sort out an Access to Learning Fund grant to pay for childcare.

I would suggest you make an appointment with your student support office and Jobcentre plus as everything takes ages to process (helpful!).

I would have really struggled with a full time course as I wouldnt have been entitled to Income Support or Housing Benefit.May be worth considering if you can do part time til you're a bit more sorted.Maybe then you could carry on in the Autumn, my lecturers let me take baby in as long as she was quiet, so I didnt have any time off.

Keep in touch,my DH walked out on me during the course (although now we are strugling to sort our relationship out) and it was hard, hard work. However, I feel a massive sense of achievement, I could do anything now!!

unfortunately my course is only full time and can have pretty demanding hours. taking baby in also isn't an option due to the infection risk etc.

i read somewhere that single student parents were entitled to housing benefit, though im not sure if thats true.

how did you cope with studying etc with a little one?

im full time too. im kim. im at exeter uni full time studying politics, sociology and health policy. you will be entitled to the usual loans plus.......maintenance allowance, special support grant, child care grant and your tax credits and child benefit etc.
hth x

I'm studying Occupational Therapy (2nd year) and have a 7 year old. Admittedly it is easier with an older child as they are at school 5 days per week. Through NHS bursaries you will get 85% of your childcare paid so that should really help and i understand med students are in for very long hours (much more than us OTs)

It is still hard though with coursework etc but with any days off etc/time off during the day try and do as much as poss. Also take as much help as you can from family and friends so you can catch up on work.

Just think though in 2 years you'll be a doctor and you'll be able to make your little one really proud.

Good luck xx