Funds available to single mum students?

[tiredofwaitingforitalltochange]

I am about to start my 4th year of a 5 year degree (MBBS). It's full time and I have au pairs for care of dc (12 and 10). When I started the course dh was earning well. I have been self funded, it's my second degree so no help with fees. I have transport costs of £300 a month, £3200 a year fees. I have taken a maitenance loan of £4800 for the past two years.

Dh and I are splitting. I have a new house, no mortgage but bills to pay and the expenses I have described (plus books etc). Dh's business is struggling in the recession (I mean really struggling, income has gone down by 70%). Money is going to be really tight with two homes to buy/run on proceeds of family home.

I will get an NHS bursary for fees in Year 5.

Can anyone tell me if there is anything else I can apply for now that I am going to be on my own? Are savings taken into account? Dh wants to give me a clean break, this will mean I get some capital (not a huge amount) from the sale of the family home on top of the house I have. I'm not very savvy about these things, it took me two years to realise we were entitled to 25% discount on Council Tax. Also I am classified as disabled by my Uni (MH). Currently I claim absolutely nothing, except Council Tax discount.

Is there anything else I can apply for to help? Any more loans I can take out?

Thanks in advance.

As a full time student you are exempt from council tax. I didn't realise this myself for 18 months! Check out your local authority's website for information.

Maybe ring student finance and check if you are now eligible to apply for any grants?

Are you getting any child tax credits you are entitled to?

Also, check if your Uni has any extra funding for lone parents.