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Hi all
I am new to this forum so let me introduce myself. I am a 30 year old single mother of two. My eldest daughter is 8 years and my youngest 2 years old. I worked up until I was pregnant with my youngest and decided to stay at home and raise her as I worked with my first and missed out on a lot, and so did she.
I have worked both in the Legal and Medical field and I now would like a change of career. Problem being, the course I want to do is a 4 week course at a private academy, costing £4000 and no matter where I look, there is no funding for people my age. Everything seems to be for those 25 or younger.
I actually applied to Student Finance England but my application was rejected on the grounds that my course was not that of Higher Education or Degree status. I was told I could change the course so I found a college who offered something similar. The course in question costs £18,550 and is a Higher Education course, lasting one year. Although the amount is substantial, I gathered I would apply seeing as Student Finance would help, however they have now informed me that they would only pay up to £9000 for the year. I actually think the amount is ridiculous in comparison to the initial £4000 which I thought was really expensive although it would allow me to work for myself and provide the care that my children so deserve. :(
I would appreciate someone, anyone advising me on this particular topic or even better, pointing out a programme for women like myself.
Thanks for taking the time to read and help xx
I would recommend you both have a look at the Turn to Us website. have a think about what "categories" you may fit into, that is the trick, for example, ex Forces family or different ethnicities, as funders tend to "target" their money at particular sectors (the "categories" thing goes against everything I believe in! but there you go....)
Before my legs went wonky I wanted to train to be a driving instructor. Absolutely no help to be had at all - and I asked for a loan not a grant. I even wrote to the MP to say that it was really disappointing that there was no help as it could have led to a career around the children.
I do hope that you are able to find some help.
Thanks Helly13
It seems all the government is concerned about is getting us to work, even if it means earning minimum wage. You would have thought they would have more sense i.e the more we earn the less likely we would require their assistance like Child Tax Credit etc.
Thanks Louise, however I have turned to them and they are no help. Most of the funding is assisting charities in order to help people under 25 or life long learning courses. I'm interested in a Beauty course so I don't qualify.
Sparklinglime, I tried applying for loans but due to my situation of losing my home, I'm blacklisted. Not only that, I don't earn enough as I don't work at present.
I've come to the conclusion that my best bet is to save this money myself or apply for the small grants available to me.
I do appreciate your responses and if I do happen to find a relevant source I will definitely post it here for others to benefit.
Hi supermum81, have you had a look at our list of Grants and Loans for adult learners? There may be a charity that could help you, which may not have been on the Turn2Us website.
It is truly frustrating that so many of us want to learn more, earn more and provide for our children and add to society, but are not given the helping hand that is needed.
I wish you lots of luck in your endeavour to finding some money. Would you consider doing something similar in your local college that may be less pricey?
Look forward to hearing back from you 
Thanks Anna, I will take a look now.
I have checked my local college and they do not offer anything similar to the course I'm wanting to do. I have decided to apply for small grants in hope that I can also save and make up the money.
Thanks again :)
Hi there
I am starting an Access to Higher Education at my local college in October. However there is no funding at all now it was removed this year and anyone over 25 has to find £1,500 ! they have also axed the Adult Learners Grant ( Thanks David Cameron ) There is little or no funding for mature students at FE colleges anymore. I think thats shortsighted and a disgrace.For myself I can just about fund the course as I work evenings and weekends and can pay instalments but have to pay £500 at enrolment its very hard trying to save from a low paid job and not everyone is in the position to that .The course was originally set up to give the unemployed,women returners and the unqualified a chance to go into education and it runs to fit in with school hours, however it seems to me that the majority of the people it set out to help can no longer take the course,Job Centres do not allow anyone to take an Access as its deemed full time but of course are sending people to Work Programmes which are worse than useless!
Hi kittycat
It is so frustrating isn't it, but it won't stop us will it! It sounds as though you will do it no matter what!
What is the course you shall be doing?
Hello Anna,
I am on the Humanities Pathway, and hope once I have completed Access to go to Uni to study History
Hi kittycat, sounds interesting! Is this something that you would be able to use for a job in the future? Or is it more for personal interest?
Hi Anna,
Bit of both ! I have always worked in the hotel trade and wanted to do something totally different
kittycat, it sounds as if you have a lot of strings to your bow, as they say, what sort of work can you see yourself doing in the future?
Hi Louise I would eventually love to teach or tutor, I am so looking forward to studying for the next four years .
It all sounds very exciting and so great to have a goal!
What are you doing about the funding aspect? I know you said you were working and trying to save up,how is that going?
Hi Louise,
Its going really well surprisingly! as I have been that good at saving. I went to my bank and opened an ISA ,had a chat with an advisor and worked out a do-able savings plan over the next 5 months,which will give me the enrolment plus a little extra Its surprising once you have worked out your income, just how much is frittered, and having a definate goal helps enormously .I will have to carry on working throughout the Access and paying the fees by instalments and I am hoping to start an online blog about my working + college experience too ! Thanks for your interest Louise and Anna, I will minus my laptop for a while ( needs an overhaul, poor old thing ) so wont be posting for a bit
Just off topic for a mo, I fully support One Space and your concern over single parents and the Work Programme, I wrote both to Ian Duncan Smith and my local M.P last year and will do so again
Kittykat
I
That's brilliant kitty cat and great news about what you have been up to.
I agree that doing a budget can have a surprising result (and it is very brave to do one sometimes!!) Anyone who would like to get help from our budgeting tool can see it here.
Look foward to you rejoining us soon, kittycat, don't be away too long!
Hi SuperMum
I too am looking for funding for a course that would enhance my career prospects and give me the edge over my competitors. Like your good self can find funding? ...Not a chance.. I'm on the work Programme and they won't even part fund the course which is £995+VAT. I'm able to stay at a friends place in London over night as the course is two days.
When I asked the WP they're answer was a terse we are here to get you a job not fund a course! But this course would greatly improve my chances of gaining a well paid job and open up other avenues for related industries- not some minimum wage role that would still leave me on the breadline and in the benefits trap!
I feel your pain. If I manage to find any organisation I will give you the heads up!
Take Care! x