Can you help me RE: Uni finance and benefits

[LucyFarinelli]

I'm a single mum, starting uni in september in Wolverhampton (WLV).
Fees are £8,500: will get tuition fee loan

But the rest of it, I'm a bit confused...
I was told by JCP that I would be better off NOT claiming the Maintenance Loan, and staying on IS, so I would get HB (there is no family accomodation at WLV). But not sure about this???

Also, do they count SSG, ALG and CG as Income??? So would I get benefits?

My DS will be 2.4 when I start and I will be studying full-time (approx. 16 contact hours per week plus study hours).

Any advice you ladies (or gents) can give would be really appreciated

TIA

Good luck !

This is a really useful thread, I've just been trying to apply for everyone. Oh my days, its so confusing! They are absolute bastards!

It is really helpful having others to chat it all through with.

I got so pissed off annoyed at the start of the week. When i'd applied for student finance, it asked me to send proof that I was responsible for my DS. There was a drop down list and you picked one. So I chose to send in his Birth certificate.
They then sent it back and said I had to send in my most recent child benefit statement. That had been one of the other options. So if the birth certificate was not good enough, then why include it as an option???? ARGH!!!!