Son quitting university

[Motherchubbard]

My son has told me he wants to leave university, he has been there since September but isn't enjoying the course one bit and wishes he never chose university, he is almost 19 and lives on campus,
He says he wants to try and get into college and do something he enjoys, obviously he will be moving back home.
Although working we are on a low income so receive child tax credit, child benefit, some housing and CT benefit, I have 3 other children at home.
Any help I use to receive for him stoped when he moved out but what happens when he moves back in, will I be able to reclaim anything for him whilst he studied at college? It's causing so much stress as we are already stretched to our limits but I also don't want my son to feel he is stuck because of our financial situation, I'm struggling to know what to do for the best whilst making sure my son is fully supported in what he wants to do.

Honestly - I don't think there is anything you can claim for him, he needs to claim as an adult. However if he wants to go to college he may need to get a part time job to support himself. I'm not sure there is anything he would be able to claim if he wasn't looking for work.

He should be able to claim JSA

Even if he is doing a full time college course?

No, if he's studying full time he's unlikely to be able to claim anything (it may be different if he has a disability), so he'll need to get a job.

If he is going into non advanced education you might be able to get tax credits for him, however it seems he is passed that stage. Even if you could get advice as I do not know whether adding a child to a tax credits claim currently triggers a universal credit claim (if you are in a full service area.)

I also know nothing about the education finance side.Are there fees if he has already passed that stage of education?

Your son will presumably be 19 when he starts college so he needs to check funding options for this as post-19 funding is limited. If he has already done A-Levels or a level 3 qualification he is unlikely to be funded again for the same level.
If he finishes his first year of uni, he may be able to exit with a certificate of higher education (Level 4).
What does he want to do at college? Is it a viable career option, and is he going to be able to juggle studying, a part-time job or unpaid work experience alongside it? Has he considered apprenticeship routes?

You won’t get anything. For your son, no. He may get funding/student loan dependant on what he chooses to do but he also may need to self fund his college course. He needs to work part time evenings/weekend and pay you board money.

Possibly better he could look into an apprenticeship where he is paid and has part time college on day release which could be funded by the employer/government.

Think chd benefit stops when they finish their college programme. He’s been at uni so adult now. He needs to pay you rent.

If he's on an advanced course that attracts a student loan then he can take that out, otherwise it's hard to say because he won't qualify for support at the college level as he already has a levels (or equivalent) and is 19+. He can claim uc from September but will be expected to look for work - an advanced apprenticeship is the best option I expect as they will pay for college and pay a wage (admittedly low but enough to fund his personal needs and give you some housekeeping)

I'm not sure you'd be able to claim child tax credits for him again, although if at college then maybe for a short while but I think they stop around the 19 th birthday. he would most likely be able to claim Universal credit in the interim before starting college but obviously the conditions of that will be 35hos of job searching a week. it is no longer possible to make a new claim for JSA.