University Allowance

[curiosity]

I'm asking this on behalf of my sister whose son is off to uni in Sept. His parents are paying tution & accomodation fees, and he has been granted a student loan.  They also pay for his phone contract and obviously are supplying what he needs to set up. He intends to get a student job. She wants to know what is the norm for the amount of assistance parents give, as some give money on top of this, and as most 18 year olds will take what they can, she wants to have an idea of what is the done thing.

Thanks

[morg_monster]

This may sound harsh, but if his parents are paying tuition fees and accomodation, then as I work it out, a student loan should given him around �100 a week to live on during term time.  If he has a student job on top of that, then I really don't think he needs any more money.  If they want to give him more then really, keep it to a minimum, he will just spend it on booze and clothes (I know, I did!)

Usually bank on �20-�40 a week on food (though if he's in halls he might get that included).  If they are going to buy him all his textbooks and everything, then the remaining �60-�80 is his to spend as he wishes.  It will be more than enough for a few nights out a week and buying drinks for the lovely ladies he will meet!  If I were them, I'd not give him anything extra for the first term.  If he comes home with lots of new clothes and lots of stories about the great time he's having, then that is fine. If he seems to be struggling, maybe give him a bit more.  But seriously, make sure he isn't abusing it.  I saw it a lot at uni - and though I didn't abuse the money I got, looking back now, I was much better off then than I am now in terms of disposable income.

In later uni years, his parents may prefer to start giving him more of an allowance so that he doesn't have to work at another job.  But in the first year he'll probably be fine.

[loobie]

Hi, while I was at university the only thing my dad paid for was my tuition fees. I only ever asked for money once when I literally had nothing but it really taught me the value of money. I had to fend for myself and limit myself to what I could or couldn't have. It has made me much wiser and although it would have been nice to have more money back then, I am grateful for the lesson I learnt. Don't give too much as it only allows more booze and clothes like morg_monster said. University isn't only there for studying, it's there to learn about what real life is so take this into account and don't spoil.

[lilmonkey]

My mum gives me �1500 a year towards rent, and that's pretty much it. Any other money I have is from my student loan or my part time job. Learning how to budget and fend for yourself is an important part of higher education.

[Mistopheles]

I think it depends on how rich the parents are! My parents are not rich at all, so when I was at Uni, I worked to support myself. They'd help out with the odd tenner here and there, but that was it - they just couldn't afford it. I actually think it did me good to learn how to survive by myself.

[kick3m0n]

I was like Mistopheles, didn't get much help from my folks at all as they just couldn't afford it. I managed, and I totally agree that it made me realise the value of money and how to be responsible.  The sorts of sums talked about in the question seem very generous and to be honest, student life just isn't that expensive, once you cover the basics of fees, rent and books. If he's working too he'll have plenty of cash!

[puzzled54]

We pay the tuition fees for our 3 children at university, they receive the minimum amount of loan and are able to manage perfectly well. They work over the summer, and we're happy to pay for holidays and good birthday and xmas presents. Apart from that I might send them the odd tenner or food parcel (worried mother syndrome). Seems to me that the more they have, the more they will get used to spending. If shes paying accomodation and phone, then that is plenty. They have to learn to budget. May sound harsh, but it works for us.

[nect4r]

I'm off to uni in September and boy do I wish my mum had the money (and the will!!) to pay for my accommodation!

If they're paying that much (my flat costs �69 per week) then I do believe that's more than enough. I don't know any other person out of my circle of friends who's had that much financial aid.

Just my 2p :)

[Peahead66]

I never had a penny of my parents when I was at Uni. In fact ive supported myself completely since I left school. Did me the world of good. I still know people in their twenties and older taking money off their parents glad im not like that.