Anyone else at University??

[jazz412]

I'm currently studying Primary education and am training to be a teacher at university but I've just discovered I'm pregnant. (:))
I think I'm going to have to take the next year out as the baby is due in the last week of August of 1st week of September. This doesn't really bother me at all, what I am worried about is that when I go back the tuition fees will have risen and I'm wondering whether I will have to pay more?
I'm also wondering if there are any grants that I'll be eligible for as I'm going to have to move (soon) to a bigger place without as many stairs (at the moment my flat has very slippery dangerous stairs that I couldn't go up and down heavily pregnant let alone with a pram!) My partner and I are very pleased to be having a baby (yes it was a bit of a surprise but these things happen!) but he's going to be continuing his course next year as otherwise it will be a very long time before he graduates (his course is at least 5 years). We're very stable and have been together for over 5 years so this isn't a drunken university one night stand!
I'm also slightly apprehensive of telling people (lecturers) at university in case they treat me differently, I don't see why they would as I am after all a autonomous adult! I'm also apprehensive of placements within school as I'm weeing a lot more and will have to nip out of the classroom more....
Anyone been in the same boat?
x

Hi Jazz congratulations on your pregnancy!! I was at university last year (in my first year) when I found out I was pregnant, am actually due tomorrow. Im taking this year out like you plan to to look after/have baby lol. With regards to uni, I cant help with regards to tuition fees as my course is NHS funded so doesnt change for me, but I know you get much more help financially from the govt. to encourage you to stay on and study, including things like the childcare grant, your university itself may also offer bursaries to help you out. Does your university offer a support centre or something like this? I went to them before speaking to my lecturers to find out the universities policies about temporary withdrawal and about finances. My lecturers were great, I found out the day before my first exam so missed that and they were all very helpful. I guess its a case of they've seen it all before, they may treat you differently but I think thats something all women go through when pregnant no matter how old you are.
I hope this helps!! Nice to hear you sounding so positive about it all, reminds me very much of May last year when I was going through exactly the same thing :) Now were just waiting for our little boy to be born...

Congratulations!

I found out i was pregnant in the summer before i was meant to go into my 3rd and final year. I met up with my tutor and head of department to tell them I wanted to take a year off and finish my degree a year later. They were fine about it and helped me with the relevant paper work etc. To be honest they were more than fine about it, my tutor was thrilled and I'm still getting regular e-mails from him asking me how things are going, which is really sweet.

If you have already been paying your fees for this year at the current rate then you should be able to continue paying the same amount for subsequent years. However I would check with Student Finance England, if you are getting your fees paid by them.

You will be able to get some extra funding from your university as well as extra loans and grants from Student Finance. Also remember that you can get housing benefit while you're a student if you have a small child.

Don't worry about the staff at your university treating you differently, they shouldn't do! I was worried about people being a bit snobby towards me when I first found out especially as me and my boyfriend are quite young (i'm 21, he's 25) but generally everyone has been very kind and helpful.

Good luck!

I'm 20, second year medical student and due in July (on my 21st birthday which is weird). You'll definitely get grants from Student Finance and most universities pay towards childcare costs. mine pays up to 85% which is going to be a huge help with 9-5 placements every day. My tutors have been very supportive....said I'm not the first and I won't be the last, so I'd definitely recommend talking to them and getting all the help you can get. They can also point you in the directions you need to go with regards to applying for financial assistance. I'm completely petrified about doing this alone (boyfriend has said he'll leave me if I keep it, but that's his loss not mine) but there are so many people there to help us that I think it's all going to be fine :D

Thanks so much for the replies ladies!
I feel a bit reassured now! I'm glad there are grants and things available because I was slightly concerned about the money aspect as (like every reasonable Mum) I would like my child to want for nothing (except perhaps ridiculous requests!)
cfdb, that's deffinately his loss!! What a C*!!!
Luckily my partner is very supportive and excited himself so that's an extra bonus I guess :)
I think I feel much more confident about contacting my student advisors now to tell them and see what they offer
Thanks so much girlies :D Keep in touch and let me know how your pregnancies go!!!
:D xxxx