Living costs and student finance - How are mature students supposed to make ends meet?

[rp.]

Summary

The level of student finance which appears to be available to mature students simply does not appear to cover even the most basic costs of living.

 

What are mature students expected to do in order to pay the bills?

 

Please, read on...

 

Background

I am 25 years old and have been practising as an Accountant since I left school immediately after A-Levels at the age of 18. I have decided to return to University to study a fast-track (2 year) degree in Law, hopefully followed by the Bar Vocational Course or Legal Practice Course, in order to change direction in my career.

 

The money

Financing

From my initial investigations I have determined that the following sources of finance are available to me as an independent mature student entering university for the first time:

 

Maintenance loan of £ 3,564

Fee loan of up to £ 3,225

Maintenance Grant of £ 2,906

Total £ 9,695

 

But... for the purposes of my day-to-day finances, I must exclude the fee loan from my calculations, as I understand this will be paid directly to the university which provides my tuition. So in reality, the money which will be available to me to fund my living expenses is as follows:

 

Maintenance loan of £ 3,564

Maintenance Grant of £ 2,906

Annual total £ 6,780

 

Costs of living

I have calculated my expected monthly cost of living as follows:

 

Food 150

Internet 25

Mobile phone 10

Electricit 15

Water 15

Council tax 0

Home insurance 20

Socialising 65

Rent 450

 

Total 750

 

Annual total £ 9,000

 

£9,000 vs £6,780

 

My problem

Comparing my most reasonably expected living costs of £9,000 to the funding available of £6,780, there is an immediate problem staring me in the face.

 

I don't know how to reconcile or workaround this problem, and I would greatly appreciate your help.

 

What is a mature student supposed to do?

 

The books simply don't appear to balance!

[assisted blonde]

I went to university to do a 3 year law degree, I was on my own and had a mortgage and bills my ex partner had left me with I had my student loan and managed to recieve about 500.00 per yaer extra funding from the hardship fund at uni, I also did 3 part time jobs. I managed to complete my degree and support myself although I still have about 12,000 of student loan to repay. One type of part time job that fits in well with uni is market research, its well paid and when you need A,B and C1 calsses to interview its usful as all students are classed as C1. All I can say is if you really want to do it it is possible but dont expect the state to support you.

[mustang67]

I would think the same problems face ordinary students as well not just mature ones, thats why they have to take part time jobs, and still end up in debt at the end of their course.:? But after seven years practice you should be able to balance the books.

[Redstar7]

Actually all education is free. Mature student or not, i myself am going into education this year.

Do you think they will tell you and make it easy for you to claim the monies you are entitled to? No. They won't so you have to dig and put in the effrot to find out. The University hardship fund would be my first "port of call" as it were.

You will get all the funds necessary you need. The UK has signed an international agreement to free education for all. If we do not claim this money "they" the fictional government will use the funds as they then see fit. E.g buying more tanks, war planes etc.

 

Everyone needs to be responsible for their actions and accept FULL LIABILITY and not just limited liability being treated as a child by our nanny Government.

This is the root of all our woes right now anyway, feeling like we are being crushed right now with these ridiculous Statute regulations (which are NOT laws) only given the force of law and these need your consent.

 

Type in TUPC (the peoples united collective) check the videos section - the video "with lawful excuse" will change you, believe me.