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Studying and costs worries - for full time mature parent students

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sarannie21 · 16/07/2014 18:53

Hello, I have an offer to do an early years teacher training course starting in September and, while I've worked really really hard for this and am thrilled about it, am worried and terrified.
I have been sole carer for my husband for 13 years, since he had a breakdown and have practically raised our 3 children on my own. They are all settled in work/college now and my husband is coping well so it's time for a career for me - now that I'm almost 50! I have always wanted to teach and have done an OU degree in early years during the last few years.
Anyway, I need to take out a tuition loan and have applied for a grant too via Student Finance. We have been on benefits for years and I am so grateful for the help that we have received. I am looking forward to being able to work again and feel that I am contributing to society, although I did work for years before I had my children and became a carer. I have been trying to get some advice but all I am told is that the rules for full time students are very complicated.
I currently am on Income Support and get Carers Allowance and Child Tax Credit for my youngest as well as Child Benefit. My husband gets DLA and ESA. I am worried because I read a thread where a student was told, by the JobCentre, to give up her course because she couldn't get any help. I will need to buy a car to get to my school placements and was hoping to use the grant, if I qualify for it, to buy a cheap one. I feel this is our way out of the benefits 'trap' and really want to go for it.
Can anyone advise please?
Thank you for reading.

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