Funding options for single mum of two

**469er** · 11-11-2009, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by drbeaumont

I have spoken to my local MP, who has written to the Minister of Education on my behalf explaining my situation and my dire financial predicament. Would you ask your friend if I could get in touch with him? Might be able to cite his example as a way of strengthening my argument!

Have PMd you.

**IAR** · 14-11-2009, 07:04 PM

Can I ask on the graduate medicine degree if your entitled to the help can you get parentl learning allowance and adults dependency grant in the first year?

And I thought these grants were the same amounts from the NHS in the 2-4 year of grduate med?

Anyone know?

Thanks in advance

**Frank's mum** · 14-11-2009, 08:23 PM

Yes, you'll get that help in the first year if you qualify for it as it is means tested. In the subsequent years you may get help on top of the bursary, also means tested, but the bursary have a different calculation from the student loans/grants people so it doesn't always follow that if you get the grants from slc then you'll get the extra help with the bursary. I got my childcare paid through SLC and didn't get it with the bursary, we had the same income and expenses but they calculate in a different way and they also give you it on a pound for pound basis. The SLC/grant people give you the full amount if you qualify even by one penny under the minimum income, NHS would give you just that one penny, up to the full amount for every penny you are under the minimum income. (hope that makes some sense).
It's exceptionally complex and they always calculate it wrong a few times before they get it right. Sadly mine was right after many many emails back and forth, with me left to pick up the childcare tab after 4 years of having it paid by SLC. Even a single mum on our course was worse off as the maximum childcare per child that the NHS will pay is less than that which the SLC will pay, and both amounts are less than childcare for under 5's costs in London.

**IAR** · 14-11-2009, 11:37 PM

Thank you 'Frank's Mum' what a predicament to be in. Hope things are ok for you now. I'm just a bit concerned with this because I don't want to take a loan out and I won't be needing the childcare elements just the two grants. Need to look it up again.