… and we’re never more aware of this fact than when we simply don’t have enough of the stuff.
All the positivity, optimism and excitement about my impending return to University has been quashed again. We had our funding application refused by the uni and without that financial support it is impossible for me to go back to studying. Despite the fact that I have managed to cobble together enough money for my own tuition fees (£4500) we cannot even begin to cover the cost of childcare for the kiddlywinks without some aid. The nursery and after school club bill is in the region of £200 a week meaning that a full year of study will cost us something in the region of £9K.
The university’s only explanation is that the ‘fund for this year has already been exhausted’. The childcare subsidy operates on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and all I can think is that I just didn’t get our application in early enough. We qualified every year of my 3 year undergraduate course and our situation hasn’t changed since then.
I so want to believe in ‘higher education for all’, but the reality is that easy access to a university education is still largely dependent on money. I have always sung the praises of my particular university and the fact that as an institution they make it possible for people like me to study. They do offer some financial support and Jesse’s nursery is on campus making life a lot easier for student parents like myself. But right now I just feel let down.I know the pot isn’t bottomless or never ending, but why us, and why now?
Although my penchant for lipstick and high-end skincare might suggest otherwise, Mr LA and I do not have a lot of money. I’m very good at budgeting, saving and living a frugal lifestyle, allowing us to splash out on the odd luxury when we can afford it.
However, no amount of belt tightening is going to help us come up with the extra cash required for the nursery fees (I have this terms bill for £3000 staring me in the face as I type). I’ve done a lot of crying this weekend. I’ve never, ever felt that having children has stood in my way of doing anything but I guess that it’s happening now, albeit in an indirect way. I’m shocked at how devastated I am by all this.
My only hope now is the university’s Access to Learning Fund. So this evening when I should be reading my book in preparation for Friday’s lecture and mentally preparing myself for my first seminar tomorrow afternoon I’ll actually be rifling through paperwork, filling in more forms and trying to prove that we deserve a little help.
And if none is forthcoming (and the letter from the university sensitively reminds me that ‘nothing is guaranteed’) then my only option will be to drop out, withdrawing Jesse from nursery in the process. How is it that I’m back at this place again, full of fear and uncertainty?
I hate to sound like a spoilt, whiny brat but it’s just not fair.
Loveaudrey xxx
I agree its not fair.
I sympathise with your situation.. it must be incredibly difficult. You must feel so down and emotionally confused.
I do not understand why the cost is so high considering the quality of the teaching is so poor. Was it not only 6 years ago it was £1000 a year?
I entered Queen Mary university at 19 and never once got to see my tutor as she was always ‘lecturing abroad’ etc..
It was understood the programme I had chosen was suitable to someone who had to work part-time. Unfortunately they decided to give us random lectures at 9pm and random ‘compulsory’ group sessions at various hours. I couldn’t work.
They also took the piss majory by making us watch or lecturer pull a dildo out of his ass and people cut themselves (theatre studies nowadays is very low on shakespeare and very high on crap.)
I ended up dropping out after 2.5/3 months and losing my entire fee for the year.
I am so so sorry you are in this position. Good luck and I hope you get the help from the fund xx
V sorry to read this. Will keep my fingers crossed that you can maybe find a way round this. x
Oh no. You don’t sound spoiled at all, I’m sure its an understatement to say that this must be a massive disappointment to you. I’m really sorry things seem to be going boobies up and genuinely hope that someway, somehow, you can find a way to make it work. Chin up if you can. x
I’m so sorry to hear that, hun. University education in Poland is free, however many of my friends still struggle to have enough money to cover their living expenses in a big, expensive city as Warsaw. The downfall of tuition being covered by the taxes is that this year again at my Institute, some of the classes cannot take place as the classrooms have been closed by the Health Commission due to lack of A/C (and windows). My faculty simply doesn’t have enough money to pay for any renovations.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you, hun. Good luck! xxx
So sorry to hear this. It’s terrible news.
My boyfriend works in the university sector and they are currently preparing themselves for funding cuts in the region of up to 40% and redundancies, and have already made large cuts over the past year. The forthcoming cuts may well have something to do with your lack of childcare funding.
It’s terrible that we’re not investing in universities and learning, and preventing access to all but the richest in society.
God, I’m so so sorry. I really hope you can work something out to let you take up your course.
I’m really sorry to read this, it must be crushing. With fees and childcare it makes University a very expensive proposition. I shall keep everything crossed that you can find funding to make it possible x
Thank you so much everyone. I had a long chat with the student advice team this morning and they talked me through applying to this other fund. They calculated everything and could see that the was a HUGE defecit in terms of our income vs. outgoings (incl. the childcare costs) and seemed optimistic about us getting some help. I hope they repsond to the application quickly.
I’m totally blown away by the fact that a family member has offered to loan us the rest of the fees. It’s times like this that I realise how lucky I am to have such supportive family, they really want me to succeed. I’ve been feeling a little wobbly about accepting the money (as we’ve always managed on our own up until now) but they’re so keen to help that I will probably accept. We would have taken a loan from the bank if they’d let us so this will essentially be the same but without the hefty interest. We’ll start re-paying it as soon as I graduate/find work.
So it looks like I’ll be able to study, I’m really hoping things go a little more smoothly from now on! I survived my first seminar today which was a relief!
xxx
Oh this is so sad, such shame. Fingers and toes crossed the uni are able to help out in some way. Great to hear you survived the first seminar… and that you have such a supportive family 🙂 Best of luck xx