University Challenge - Are There Opportunities For Us?
Some how I think these blogs are going to be my notes on tomorrows radio show on ALL FM.
The great university challenge, for me that is. Are there opportunities for people like me to go and take a degree course? What put me off in the past was the time it would take, the expense, the massive debt and the lack of qualifications. How do I do it?
Was the Government going to help or would I struggle financially and have to give up the course?
I found out that I could get a grant to cover costs like books, travel and other expenses without it touching my entitlement to benefits. I was very surprised and humbled. The best thing is.. I don’t have to pay it back, not a sausage. My train fare, materials and sustenance is covered and no loan shark in sight. It’s not a great lot of money. It couldn’t cover a night out at the student union, but at least it’s something that helps. The Government only gives me enough to live on and with the rising costs of food & utilities, it would have be a massive obstacle not having that extra financial help. I wish it was enough for a laptop, as well, with some fancy gadgets like memory sticks, external drives and a decent digital camera.
The sad thing is, I would still have to pay back the loan for the course fees and there are conditions to paying it back. Doesn’t mention Lottery wins though. They start to take back a percentage like 9%pa for over £15,000 earned (£15 p/m). The Government does add interest at the rate of inflation only and will write the loan off if you become dead. They’ll write it off if you cannot work as a result of a disability or after 25 years of getting a low income.
There are individual circumstances, which are not covered in this blog. Full detail are in the booklet “A Guide To Financial Support For Higher Education Students” or visit the link Student Finance.
It is very important to choose the right course at the right university.
So, I’m pretty excited that there is help for those who want to go into higher education. Student Finance have an office in Manchester at Overseas House on Quay Street. You can grab all the info you want from the website and apply via their Manchester office.
It’s well worth investigating, as it could mean a chance of a lifetime to gain that important degree and aim for a better future for yourself. I would encourage anyone from Manchester to try to better themselves. This would make Manchester a better choice for industry, like the MediaCityUK project at Salford Quays. Do we really want the BBC to import talent and workers from London and the rest of the UK?
Instead of watching me on TV, you could be the one on camera or employing me.