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hiya
i am 49 - 30 yr work history up to management in Health & Social Care but no real qualifications - haven't needed them so far - got jobs on my own merit.
Had a late baby last year at 49 and suffered 3 redundancies since 2008 so decided to skill up and endorse my knowledge and skills with a degree.
Has anyone else got in Univ as mature student with solid work history - can not afford to do access course - child care costs, travel so forth - currently on Income Support very little help in the way of support although 24 plus course funding available thought i think repayable.
Student finance is amazing - so much for single parents and i will be better off by 6k a year than living on benefits.
Univ local to me - applied for social work degree and or foundation degree in Health & Social Care.
Any other mums facing similar situation?
debs
Hi debsdelight, welcome to One Space, congratulations on your baby! 
I don't have any experience of going to Uni whilst being a mum, but we do have some others on here who have, so hopefully they will join in the conversation. I have just been speaking to mummyof1.. on her thread grants for students.
When does your course start?
I am a first year mature student doing my nursing degree, I was quite fortunate that my parents were able to help me with childcare throughout my access and now through my degree. I was able to keep working 16-20hrs p/w up until now. I have had to give up work as I am doing 39hrs a week on placement for three months. I am unsure about what benefits single parents/students are entitled to...? If anyone could offer any advice it would be greatly recieved!
NHS bursary and student loans are brilliant... definitely sort those! The amount recieved depends on your circumstances but as a single mother of one working the hours I did I was entitled to £700 three times a year student loan and NHS Bursary £747 a month. It is hard work but definitely worth it in the long run! Good luck and all the best!!!
Hi debsdelight and lauren2014
You could try Turn2us they can help with finding grants and what benefits you would be eligible for depending on your circumstances.
Good for you! I've done all the 'mature' (haha) student bit and finished last June with a degree in nursing. When you are the sole carer for a child, you are entitled to income support (you are not, if you are a student and have no children). Some universities have extra grants, too.
Have fun living the student life!
I've looked into this as I'm planning on starting a course soon as well. It may not be what you're after but the open university often don't require any formal qualifications to start a degree. I want to do a degree in english lit and none of the bricks & mortar unis will take me because I didn't finish my a-levels, so I thought I'd have to do an access course first but with the OU, the access course is sort of "built in" to the degree. Hope this helps. x
I would never get any work done at home doing online course as baby is up 8-8 and has catnappsduring day. It motivates me having to get myself out of bed and to a place of study plus the social contact with humans - sometimes i go stir crazy indoors all day.
from what i have found out i will get £5,500 maintenance loan - repayable, special support grant - £3,354 not repayable, parents learning allowance £1,508 not repayable- £10,362 divide into 42 weeks = £246 a week to live on plus child tax credit and child benefit. During the summer hols 10 weeks you can apply for income support as student finance only covers 42 weeks of the year - Gingerbread told me this. you also get 85% of child costs covered and i have applied for National Scholarship £2,000 and Learner Support Fund £1,000 - not bad eh! why stay on benefits.
That is so fantastic debsdelight what a fantastic opportunity
Wow debsdelight, thanks for sharing that information, it is really good news then :)
Hiya debsdelight
I did BA in Social Work as a mature student. Started course in 2006 when I was 45 and completed in 2009. My son was 4 when I began. It was the best thing I have ever done. Financially I was much better of than I had been on benefits, along with the finances you mentioned I also received a bursary from the GSCC of around £4000 which was non repayable but I am unsure if this is still available.
Once I completed the degree I was successful in gaining employment as a social worker and have not looked back since.
I hope your plans work out for you
Abra
Hi Abra
That fantastic I have applied for social work or foundation degree - what qualifications did their accept to get on social worker degree?
Congratulations debsdelight
I just want to take this opportunity to wish you well :)
Hi Abra, well done you! That sounds great!
No I haven't Debs, but thank you for the information, I am going to look into it