Am i entitled to anything?

[Numbthumbs]

Long story so will summarise. I am currently in severe panic mode after a devestating email from uni stating in cant progress in my degree so sorry if im rambling.

• Have DD 14months and am 20 wks pregnant
• Failed a module in 2nd year of uni
• Uni want me to resit module which will take 12 months (and cost £800) and i have found out i wont be entitled to student loan or NHS bursary for the resit (healthcare degree) year.
• Im not sure i can afford to do this, DP has a good job but we dont have money left at the end of the month and i only earn £100 month from a part time job which is eaten up by bills. Cant afford childcare for the days i would need to be at uni without funding and they dont offer childcare at uni.
• Am struggling to see how i can get a job at 20 weeks pregnant to help fund my degree.

Would i get some form of income support if i withdraw from the degree due to financial reasons and cant get a job due to my pregnancy? This would obviously only be until i have had the baby when i would definately look for work. Although i wont be paying for chilcare I need to contribute to household bills whilst im not working.

Im a little naive about the benefits system having never had to use it so not sure if theres much point filling in forms or whatever it is you have to do to claim.

You probably wouldn't get Income Support because your DP is working, but have you tried speaking to Tax credits? They might go up now your household income (no student loan etc) has gone down and also might be able to get something towards childcare.

Thank you for your reply (love the name BTW, may have to go and put some on when DD wakes up!)

The tax credits didnt take into account my bursary or loan so doubtful that would change. I know that what we recieve (tax credits of £40 month and child benefit of £80 month) will go up when the new baby is born but that will only help with the new babies nappies etc.

I am just so gutted that i if i cant find a way of funding this year ill have to give up my 'dream' job. I gave up a brilliant job to do the degree aswell, i hated it but it paid really well, ive already checked and they arent taking on any more staff. I suppose i could work in the evenings but im just concerned that i wont get a job due to me being pregnant.

Will you get any sort of SMP from your job when you go on may leave?

If you dont qualify cos you earn too little, you should get maternity allowance from the government.
here
Not sure if it'll be enough to help you continue your studies though

'Mat' leave that is

Thanks TittyWhistles, i did get maternity allowance when i was off with DD and whilst i was grateful for it it wont be enough to help me study. I need about £400 a month and that gave me about £100 (same as part time job, which is also not able to offer me any more hours).

Ive just txt DP to get a euromillions ticket

You may be eligible for contribution based Jobseekers Allowance if you have paid enough NI over the last (I think) 2 years. This will only be paid for 6 months though and also depends how much you are earning from your current job and how many hours you are doing (you lose some of the JSA as you have some income).

Is there no way they would let you resit the module concurrently with the following year's study so you would still be eligible for bursaries and loans?

Other than that it will probably have to be reducing your outgoings as far as possible unfortunately, there are some fabulous tips on the credit crunch section and people on here can give excellent advice - sometimes it takes an uninvolved pair of eyes to see areas you can cut back on :)

I havent earnt enough since november 2009 to make NI contributions so dont think i would get that either.

I have a meeting with the head of department some time this week (if she ever replies to my bloody emails) to find out what i can do but because im trailing 60 credits ive been told by her deputy that theres no way i can progress to the 3rd year without resitting and restudying the entire module.
I have extenuating circumstances for 30 credits (agreed and officially recognised by the uni after a doctors note explaining that i had a potential pregnancy problem - now discharged) but they are saying that wont help me.

Due to my pregnancy and bad timing of the due date (right in the middle of the academic year) i was intending to do the 3rd year part time and therefore they wont let me resit the exam on top of my 3rd year work load.

Its shit, im so so upset.

I will defo look in the credit crunch section and may post my entire financial situation for help.