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4th February 2012, 02:20 PM
Hi I think I'm posting this in the right section, if not then sorry admin people - I'll make you a cuppa to make up for it if we ever meet ok???
Ok here's my query, I'm a student at present studying bio-archaeology and currently on my placement year. Student Finance in their infinate wisdom have decreed that when you as a student are on placement your not entitled to your full regular student loan, this means myself and other fellow placement students get just short of ?800 though in three installments - August, Jan and Easter.
As you can imagine living on this, being away from home and on placement is very difficult .... does any1 know any like student funding things that can help students on placement in the UK with funds for general living costs please?
Most placements aren't paid and I need weekends free in case my placement wants me to work on a Saturday and Sunday I do volunteer work.
Also I'm in York and free in July and August if any1 has any work over the summer paid or unpaid ... my surveying is a not very good but otherwise happy to try most things but don't drive either.
Thanks people
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4th February 2012, 05:36 PM
Have you tried your Student Union? They should be able to give you the full skinny on anything that's available. Chances are they have several hundred people in the same position as you, each year.
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4th February 2012, 06:01 PM
That might be an idea thanks. I did apply last year for some money from uni and they sent me some ... but given food bills and other such expenses it soon went
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4th February 2012, 06:51 PM
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4th February 2012, 07:00 PM
My first thought is, what counts as a placement? It might be easier to convince your University that the paid work available is relevant experience than find any institutions with the money to help you out. There are a few companies hiring at the moment (there probably always have been one or two, but not advertising), one of which might have something vaguely boiarchaeology-y or who might take you on at a training wage if you can't convince them to give you a proper job.
Also, have you checked what benefits you might be eligible for and under what circumstances? Not JSA, presumably (although I think you can still do 2 days/week volunteering and get that as long as you are available to work if it comes along). There's a handful of other benefits you might be able to get though. Of course, no-one wants to be on the dole, but half the world seems to be on in-work benefits these days, as a concequence of the minimum wage being so much lower than the breadline.
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4th February 2012, 08:58 PM
I believe that even on a placement year, you're still technically a student and therefore not entitled to any benefits. As far as I managed to find out, getting pretty much anything out of the Student Loans people (even the minimal placement year allowance), means that benefits aren't an option. Again, the Student Union would probably know.
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5th February 2012, 02:40 AM
Kel Wrote:I believe that even on a placement year, you're still technically a student and therefore not entitled to any benefits. As far as I managed to find out, getting pretty much anything out of the Student Loans people (even the minimal placement year allowance), means that benefits aren't an option. Again, the Student Union would probably know.
really? good grief
I did read on a govenrment website somewhere that postgrads are eligible for benefits under some circumstances; however, I appreciate that those circumstances might be only when there's an X in the month, or if you are doing a PhD on the effect of liquid moonlight on unicorns, or something..
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5th February 2012, 11:07 AM
Thanks for the replies guys, I've emailed student union and will see what they come up with. I'm an undergrad. thanks again
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5th February 2012, 02:27 PM
I was a student at Cardiff Uni and they had a specialist student finance office who were amazing when I was having financial problems. It was a while ago but I was encouraged to apply for (and received) a hardship loan of ?500 which was added to my student loan and is repaid in the same manner. After receiving the loan payment you could then apply for a hardship grant which is non-repayable. The student services will measure up you income (reduced loan) against outgoings so you should be in with a good chance.
It may also be unrealistic to say you need your weekends clear for volunteering or incase the placement needs you - you are surely not expected to work for them seven days a week! A weekend or evening job would seem a sensible option, and I do understand that it is hard work to balance uni and work but it will work out in the end. Sometimes it may not be what you want to do but it is what you have to do - if like me you come from a family that is unable to support you finantialy through university then you have to support yourself. It will put you at a disadvantage as you are not free to volunteer but at the end of the day you will be able to afford your degree and this is your goal at the moment.
It seems ridiculous that you were not informed of this by your university before you started your course as the information on sandwich courses and the reduced fees/reduced loans option features on most university websites.
These links may also be helpful to you
http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/feesandfunding/117683.htm
http://studenttaxadvice.direct.gov.uk/index.html
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAnd.../DG_171615
Not sure where you are but this relates to Scotland
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/.../the_ha...otland.htm
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5th February 2012, 03:28 PM
Thank you trowelfodder, I did get something from my university from a hardship fund with a little bit from a fund set up for female students, but when I got it uni made it clear they don't normally fund placement students but as I'd incurred exceptional and large costs they would send me something. The feeling I'm getting overall is that once you've got what you can and it's gone that's that. In regards to the weekend work, if I do work on a saturday then my placement gives me a day off during the week so not quite working 7 days straight.
I want to thank every1 who replied to this thread, theres been some really useful advice. I'm going to consider the thread more or less closed now. I've emailed my student union and will see what they come back with if anything. Thank you again guys
