Single parent on benefits - Questions about studying...

[FallingWithStyle]

...especially with all the changes under the conservatives, I'm not sure where I stand or whether taking up my place at college in september is even viable now.

Is there anything I should know about grants etc?

My main worry though is childcare - dc will be in full time school but my access course is full time so likely I will need some before and after school help from a childminder. There is no way I could afford that but dont know whether its something I can get help with?

I'm in england btw. Also I have made appt with jobcentre to discuss all this but its 3 weeks away and I'm worrying!

How old is your dc? Are you claiming income support still? I've just done f/t access course claiming IS and because was claiming IS was able to claim full child care costs (outside of school hours in my case) from my college.I'm assuming other colleges do similar - the fund they pay it from was quite generous - people working, getting EMAs and ALGs also qualified for it.

Apart from that entitled to nothing else as all benefits - ctb hb is etc all stayed same

Did find my student id fabulous though for gettin discounts in shops, hairdressers, theatres, childrens farms etc etc

I have no idea how new IS rules affect this though - rules haven't changed for me yet but soon.

I know about the new rules and I am 99.9% certain you will be okay and not made to change to JSA. The age 5 thing will have to passed by parliment so doesnt apply yet.

AS for childcare you need to apply for the learner support fund from college for childcare.

Just done my access course, was a lone parent at the time. Partner now moved in and Im doing a social work degree in sept.....its hard work but you will be fine.

I just finished college and I don't know anything about the new stuff the tories are bringing in, but last year I claimed child care and travel to and from college from the learner support fund.

If you're getting benefits you probably won't qualify for ALG, or if you do you'll lose benefits accordingly, so you;ll come out with the same and that makes it not worth messing with iykwim.

It's worth ringing the college and asking them for advice - most colleges work through the summer so there should be someone you can chat to.

I deffo had to get my application in for the LSF before I started the course in September, there were people who applied on the day the course started and the fund was already empty so speak to them sooner rather than later, just in case.

Good luck, you'll enjoy it - at least I did

Squonk....good point.

Apply NOW for learner support fund...it is a limited fund

Oh gosh thank you all!
Didnt consider speaking to the college about it - will do that on monday.
Feel a bit less anxious now hearing from others who've been there.
Learner support fund sounds just the thing...fingers crossed!