The Law's an Ass - Page 6

WillowTheWhisp · 12-09-2008, 07:43

In the olden days we used to have things called 'student grants' before we had student loans. Much better IMO as it didn't leave young people starting out life in debt.

cashman · 12-09-2008, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

In the olden days we used to have things called 'student grants' before we had student loans. Much better IMO as it didn't leave young people starting out life in debt.

they should NEVER have been withdrawn,but thats another thread.

katex · 12-09-2008, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

they should NEVER have been withdrawn,but thats another thread.

Can't remember the details now Cashy, but there is some facility for applying for a grant, albeit not huge. When my son was doing his Masters five years ago, and my income had reduced considerably, he did get some sort of funding.

Sorry, can't remember the details without rummaging through a big file.

Blazey: the fee amount you quote seems particularly high to me, does this not cover a loan towards living expenses, etc too ?

katex · 12-09-2008, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Blazey: the fee amount you quote seems particularly high to me, does this not cover a loan towards living expenses, etc too ?

Apologies ... got stupid head on

Was looking at your overall debt of £15,000 which would include the living expenses loans, not just fees.

jaysay · 12-09-2008, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Apologies ... got stupid head on

Was looking at your overall debt of £15,000 which would include the living expenses loans, not just fees.

Stupid head kate, didn't think you had one of those

katex · 12-09-2008, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Stupid head kate, didn't think you had one of those

That could either be a compliment or interpret as totally boring ...

As you put a laugh smiley on will take it as the former, or tongue in cheek .. mmmm.

I do think that the actual tuition ought to be offered F.O.C., however, the loan should still stand for the living expenses. It does seem hard to pay off these huge amounts once you are earning over a certain amount I know, but not crippling instalments and is taken out at source before you get your pay packet, so you don't really notice it to a certain extent (if that makes sense).

blazey · 12-09-2008, 17:42

I get a grant for living expenses so I haven't included that in my expenses.

In total I get 9k a year which also includes the loan for fees. Some in a grant so I deducted that from the amount I quoted.

My amount is actually lower than some people's debt because obviously not everyone gets the full grant.

Grants and bursaries still exist and I get both of those, which make life a little bit easier. I also have a part time job.

I don't go out socialising very much but I do like to eat well and obviously money goes towards living costs and study materials. I don't have any savings.

A lot of students from families that can afford fee's tend to still get out the loan and put the money into savings accounts because then they can make a small profit during their time at university.

I don't begrudge anyone who has more money than me at university because I have too much to worry about in my own life without worrying about everyone elses.

I give talks to young students about finance and living at university. If there was money available then I'd know about it because it's my job to make sure people know what thye're entitled to and the types of support that is available.

I don't let the debt worry me unless, like the approaching term, I can't afford to get through it even on a strict budget. I'm applying for a second job though so I should be ok.