Single Parent and Uni

[Dream23]

I'm a single parent with one dd, I'm doing an access course this year to hopefully do nursing or midwifery in uni next year, but I'm worried about my finances! I've had a look around and realise that it's not good with UC as they take off the amount of grant/loan as income but pound for pound! Does anyone else do this and cope ok? I really want to do it as it's something I've wanted to do for a very long time but seems really unfair with universal credit. My ex partner pays very little child maintenance so I don't get a lot of help there. I don't know how I can pay my rent, bills and 15% of childcare on what I'm going to be left with! on top of running a car and petrol to get to my placements :(

I'm a single mum in my first year of uni.
I am on maximum loan/grant and UC was paying £200 but this just covered my rent and a bit of shopping.
My course although full time is 3 days a week (loooooaaads of reading) so I work 2 days. UC doesn't pay anymore.
this means I'm a little more comfortable and cant manage being a student without being super stresse about money.
do you have any days off so you can work?

You are still entitled to the housing and tax credits part of benefits (Sorry, it was housing benefit and tax credits when I found out for mine but I'm off it now so not sure if it is part of UC), the full maintenance loan and parents learning allowance plus as you mentioned the 85% of all childcare costs. Housing benefit (Or equivalent UC) does take your loan into consideration but they still paid around 2/3 of my rent and child tax credits (Or that part of UC now) don't take the loan into consideration at all. Have you looked into bursary or grants from the university? X

Be careful. I had everything stopped when I started uni part time and had to get my councillor to fight for me, so that at least I got HB back and some pocket money. Turns out getting an official to shout for you gets you listened to...

I went for full postgrad loan and the councillor argued loan rather than income. Was asked if I just wanted to reduce loan, but I needed the money. Thankfully I got a job soon after so could pay my own rent.

UC should be disregarding the Parent's Learners Allowance, Special Support Element and Childcare grant.

Are you an English, Scottish or Welsh student. That makes a big difference with UC.