Financial support for learning

[mountainboo]

I am 28 years old and have been working since the age of 17. I have never claimed benefits in my life until I had my son 15 months ago when I became eligible for child tax credits (�10 per week).

I gave up work recently in order to go back into education. My husband is self employed. I discovered recently that I would not be eligible for working tax credits or the adult learning grant. Our income is slightly over the maximum for claiming either benefits.

I am commencing the Access to Higher Education at my local college, in September and it looks like I'll have to finance it myself. It will mean having to get another loan, which I'm really not happy about. There must be some help I can get surely, does anyone know of anything?

It makes me angry to think that I have been paying my taxes for 11 years, not once have I asked the government for help. The only time in my life where I wish to better myself and eventually get a decent job, I can't get any help at all.

[tamborine]

seems the OH is the handicap towards you being awarded financial support. Since he's SE he receives a tax allowance for you and your child; in effect that allowance could be utilised for your studies.

[bednobs]

hi mountainboo, sorry to hear of your predicament, it sounds like you will have to finance it yourself, however, with luck your earning potential will be more after your courses so your investment will have been worth it. is it worth doing some work until september to save up some money to help? (cant really understand why you have given up now if your course dosent start till sept?)
with means tested benefits there will always be people who fall just outside the cut off and for them it's frustrating, however, i would take exception to "haven't had anything from the government" - what about child allowance? smp? the birth of your baby and post/ante natal care? education for your child?
i can see it's frustrating for you, but it might be better to count your blessings - i have a degree but would swap it for the ability to have a family

[Pigletion]

Can you get a Career Development Loan (CDL)? Is still a loan, but government pays the interest for the duration of your course and you start paying back two months after your course finishes. Available from Barclays, RBS and Co-op.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearni ng/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners /DG_10033133


Also make sure you have all the info available from the HE people about what funds etc. are available to you. They are not always advertised, but there is often money about if you enquire.

Good luck

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