About me:Back after a very long absence! Cant believe I've only written one review in nearly 2 years! Anyway ...
Member since:16.09.2001
Reviews:160
Members who trust:48
Review rated by 26 Ciao members on average: very helpful
This review received a counterstatement by a party concernedRead Comment
So here I am at the end of my four years of my BA Hons Economics and Social Policy at UWE. What else have I gathered in this time?, well along with a wealth of knowledge, another child (he's 2 now) and a mountain of debt! Around £8000 to be precise, whilst on a full grant and child carebursary. Child care alone costs £3,500 for the university year.
Many single parents now think about going to university, and whilst I applaud this, serious thought has to go into this. In essence the government is playing us a bit of a con. After coming off Income Support I also lost the majority of my Housing Benefit, because my income had gone up by £2.50, yes £2.50 a week I now had to pay a third of my rent. So income goes up by £2.50 outgoings on rent are now £140. Instead of having money weekly, you get it 3 times a year, try making that last! Oh and in the summer recess the grant portion for your kids apparently carries on at £20 a week, I myself lived on £7.50 Income Support, being unable to work because of child care (would cost more than I would earn), because of losing even more Housing Benefit (would be counted as top-up income on my grant), and losing that important £7.50.
And so to getting a job to pay off that debt, well I'm at a disadvantage with two kids anyway, but getting a graduate job at 28 is proving impossible! They obviosuly prefer those young whippersnappers! And then theres paying for childcare, earning over £10,000 means I have to start paying my loans back, paying rent, etc. Probably end up worse off! No wonder so many single parents stay on benefits! If the Government want us to get more education and work, they're gonna have to help out a bit more!
P.S New students! Your student union will no doubt be carrying on the fight against tuition fees, join and make the government see sense, every little voice soon adds up to a big voice!
Thank you good people!
Well I got my results today and I didnt pass them all :-( just failed the one. so my uni has to put up with me as a part-timer! Ah well at least I still get my student discounts!
by (8%):
21.09.2001 21:59
Thank you good people! Well I got my results today and I didnt pass them all :-( just failed the one. so my uni has to put up with me as a part-timer! Ah well at least I still get my student discounts!
16.09.2001 15:53
Thank God we had grants when I was a student!Very good first opinion and good luck for the future. Paul
16.09.2001 11:35
Welcome to ciao. A well written first opinion. Keep the good work up and ENJOY!! fromthedarkside