I want to improve my life!

[AlfieJMummy]

Hello Everyone.

I am 21 with a 7 month old and currently unemployed as I was made redundant while on maternity leave. I currently get some universal credit to top up my partners earnings.

I always wanted to be a primary school teacher and I was actually getting my degree with the open uni when i fell pregnant and I had a high risk horrific pregnancy and i just couldn’t keep up/take it in and i didn’t see how i could do full time uni, part time work and have enough time to spend the time i wanted with my baby in the future so I dropped out.

I want to get back into the course this year but I don’t think students can get universal credit? I’ve looked into the grants and everything and apparently id only get just over £400 a month and that is not enough at all to live! I would be a part time student. I don’t see how I can improve my life/education/career because i can’t afford to have that little money. We privately rent and my partner is in full time work.

Can anyone give me any advice/information? thank you.

I’m sure someone here will know!

That's why students are taking maintenance loans.

I think in that situation your husband can claim UC for you and your child, but I could be wrong.

However, if you went to uni full time you can get a maintenance loan, tuition loan, possibly parent's learning allowance, help with childcare costs and an adult dependents grant. You can get a 25% reduction on your council tax too. I'm not sure how much they'd take your OH's income into account, but it's worth looking into. I think there's a gov.uk website to calculate what you could get or you could try ringing Student Finance UK and asking them.

If you're planning on doing a degree in a core subject with a view to applying to do a PGCE, eg History or Art, etc, then full time contact hours are usually only around 16-20, which currently includes some time from home online, although you will be expected to do extra self study on top of that. I think most unis have a creche, so your baby could be nearby. I hope this helps.