Do you think I should go to uni??

Question

I had a few false starts at university, I was in an abusive marriage and he was controlling so I didn't finish even though I tried a few times. Now I'm single, I applied to go to uni again! and I was accepted, but I'm a little bit apprehensive about money and with not finishing before. Can you still get loans and things if you have tried uni a few times?

It's the first time I've been free so in a way I can't wait to go, but I am worried at the same time!!

Answer 1

if u go to university you can apply for loans through the Student Loans Company

www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk

you apply for 3:

1. Tuition Loan - this goes straight to the Uni and you dont see any of it

2. Maintenance Loan - to help with living costs

3. Maintenance Grant - to help with living costs

You pay back the loans when you start to ean over 15,000 p/a but the Grant you don't pay back

Answer 2

Yes, there is plenty of funding available.  Go for it!

Answer 3

It depends on how many false starts.

Also do you intend to study part-time or full-time? PT will be no bother and you'll also end up with no debts.

FT - You are entitled to support for the duration of the course plus an additional year. So for a 3 year course you are entitled to 4 years of support, ie one false start or repeat year. If you have only one false start you will be ok if you complete your course without repeating.

If not and your university can verify the reasons for your previous withdrawal(s) you can be awarded additional years on the basis that there were compelling personal reasons. They must be valid reasons - health, you were in a dangerous situation, etc. and confirmed in writing.

Otherwise you may be penalised for the false starts and you will be awarded the maintenance loan only for any additional years you must study. Each partial year of study counts as a full year.

Best bet is to speak to your LEA (local education authority at your local council) now if they're willing to speak to you. Bear in mind from 2009 the Student Loans Company (SLC) will be taking over processing applications for student finance, a role the LEA used to do. As a former student support officer I would advise you to get your application in very, very early. Apply in March/April as the SLC do not have a track record of being efficient... or giving the correct advise!

Ask yourself also - do you really need the degree? You could finish with debts of £30,000 and it won't guarantee you a massive salary.

Answer 4

you dont giv away much info here so cant really advise.

You say you got a place somewhere? well every uni has a student services department, talk to them about financial help, there are different things that can help you: loans, grnts, private grants, hardship funds etc.



But each of them will depend on your age, some are only for the 18 year olds starting uni, some are if you are a mature student (over 21 is classified as a mature student).

Some are fiancally based, eg if you have absolutly no financial back up and will be working your way through uni- they will include parents fiancial income until you hit about 22 when they can sometimes disregard this. Any savings and loans taken out will also be counted.

Answer 5

I think you can still get funding, its just harder to get into uni if you have dropped out a few times but seeing as you have got in thats good.