Finances whist at uni.

[TonyBravo]

Can anyone go e me a rough guide on if I'll be able to get a maintenance loan whilst at uni? DH earns £70k.

We have 4 children under the age of 18 and one is in receipt of full rate PIP for bot components. I have ADHD I'm told I might be classed as a disabled student.

Im not trying to be grabby or entitled here, I'm just trying to look at how we're going to manage financially for the next 3 years and how many hours I need to try and get working around uni to keep everything afloat.

Is it your first degree? If it's a masters loan, it's not means tested: www.gov.uk/masters-loan/what-youll-get

As your DH earns £70k, do you not have the option to take some time out to study?

It's my first degree, it's an undergrad.

Where we live and with the living situation, DH's income covers the main bills like rent, council tax and gas electric, loan repayments etc, what I earn pays for food and fuel and any birthday for the kids and the like.

There's a student loan calculator on the gov website: www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator

I've been a high earner, so do understand that a £70k salary may not go far if you have high living costs. But is there no where you can cut back to pay for food & fuel out of your DH's salary?

I think you will struggle studying full-time and working when you have 4 children and ADHD.

We've tried unfortunately, I'll have to get some evening and weekend work even if it's 3 evenings a week. I'll have a look at the calculator, thanks ☺️

I think you will, but you'll only get the minimum amount because of the household income. It's about 4K per year.

There’s a disability element where you are assessed for need - can cover all sorts of things - ring Althea student help line at the university you’re interested in, they are very helpful.

What sort of degree are you looking to do? You get a grant for NHS related ones, mine is 5k plus 2k as I've got children.

I'm doing a teaching degree. I have my final interview next week so I will pop into student finance and ask. What the the options are.

You can apply for DSA too.

Another thought, have you checked to see if you are eligible for UC? When there’s a disabled child the upper income limit is much, much higher than many expect, especially with 3 other DC and high housing costs. We have a higher household income, no housing costs, and because of disabled DC would be eligible for some if we didn’t have savings. Even taking student loan off £ for £ you may find you are eligible for something.