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
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