#FinancialRecovery #DomesticViolence #SingleMom #EducationAfterAbuse
Hey there! 🌟 It takes a lot of courage to leave a domestic violence relationship, so first of all, kudos to you for taking that step towards a better future for yourself and your daughter. I can imagine the fear and uncertainty you must be feeling right now about your financial situation and future prospects. But remember, you are stronger than you think, and there are ways to rebuild and thrive after such a traumatic experience.
Here are some things to consider and tips to help you navigate your path to financial recovery and self-empowerment:
– Consider seeking advice from a financial advisor or organizations that specialize in assisting survivors of domestic violence. They can provide personalized guidance on managing your universal credit benefits while pursuing education or new employment opportunities.
– Research options for distance learning or flexible study programs that could allow you to continue your education while juggling your responsibilities as a single mother. This could be a step towards achieving your long-term goals, such as completing your math degree.
– Look into potential scholarships, grants, or financial aid available for returning students, especially those who have faced adversity like domestic violence. Your past circumstances should not define your future potential, and there are resources out there to support your educational journey.
– Start building a financial safety net by creating a budget, setting aside a portion of your income for savings, and exploring ways to increase your income through side hustles or part-time work opportunities. Every little bit adds up and can provide a sense of security for you and your daughter.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and there is support and guidance available to help you navigate the challenges ahead. Stay strong, stay focused on your goals, and believe in your ability to overcome this setback and thrive. You’ve got this! 💪💕
Is the ex the father of your child? If so, is he paying maintainance through CSA?
Not much advice to give, only that I didn’t start uni until I was your age and my career worked out really well (I was nowhere near the oldest undergrad there either). Best of luck OP, you got this 👍🏻
How far did you get into your studies? You can transfer credits from up to 16 years ago to the OU and complete the rest of your degree part time (I’m sure other unis offer the same):
https://credit-transfer.open.ac.uk
I don’t know the ins and outs of how much free time you have but it could mean you pick up part time work as well??
Depends how you do it.
Typically you can’t get UC as a full time student, however there is something for being a parent, what that is I don’t know but I’m almost certain it’s nowhere near what you have been getting so far.
Your best move will likely be to work full time and study part time (Evenings etc) assuming you can get childcare.
As for saving, it’s much easier to do when you actually have money coming in, I’d concentrate on getting either into work or into a better educational state to leverage into work.
Firstly, well done for leaving, it’s not easy.
When you’re looking at Uni’s you can ask specifically about what support they have available for students that are parents – many universities have schemes and grants available for this sort of thing; plus hardship grants etc. You should also speak to Student Finance about what loans are available.
You may find that the financial support available to you offsets any benefits that you potentially lose.
Regardless, this page may be useful to understand how being a student affects your entitlement to universal credit – they specifically list having a child as a reason why you wouldn’t necessarily lose all entitlement: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students.
If uni turns out to be prohibitively expensive for you, then consider an apprenticeship or part time study so you can work at the same time.