Really worried about finances

LegacyUser

Hi, thanks for reading this, im currently in college with one year left on my degree but i dont know if i can afford to continue with it. Im finding myself worrying about not having enough money to get me through the summer and next year. Ive been applying all over the place for summer work but no luck yet. Ive been lucky enough to have worked for a few years before i went to college and build up some savings but there running out now and im terrified of not being able to complete college. I dont go out at all and have a very poor social life because i simply cant afford to go out. Im receiving the grant but with new regulations in for next year I will only receive around a 3rd of what i had been receiving. I havent been sleeping well recently as i just keep going through in my head where i can cut costs and save money but its gotten to the stage where i feel like cracking up and giving up and just go on the dole! I really dont know what to do!! but thanks for reading this, i guess i just needed to get it out!

Frowzy

You poor thing! I'm the same, can't sleep when I've got something on my mind, then what you're worrying about seems worse when you're tired.

Take a deep breath! There's nothing that can't be sorted, you've come this far, your last year in reality is only 9 months of study!

Now, in your college they will have someone called an "Access Officer". E-mail this person immediately requesting an appointment. They control special funding, in particular a hardship fund and an inclusion fund. These funds are given to colleges especially for people who find themselves in situations like you have. Request an urgent appointment and bring with you your rent book/copies of receipts for rent paid. In addition bring proof of your living expenses, food, heat, electric etc etc. If there's a downfall between these expenses and your grant then they should be able to give you something to help out. Also speak to them about your situation with regards to next year. They will be able to give advice. If you got your grant this year then there should be no dramatic change next year. Your registration fee will be covered, look into what else you're entitled to. I've known people to get a once off payment of 400 euro from the social welfare to help with costs of returning to college, books etc. People have also gotten clothing allowances, travelling allowances etc etc. A visit to citizens advice should fill you in on all this.

Please, if you can at all, don't drop out. Look at IrishJobs.ie, there are very few people willing to take on someone without a degree. If you leave now statistically you're unlikely to return to finish.

For next year could you source cheaper accommodation. Perhaps share a double room with a good friend. Do you have family who will put you up rent free for the summer to give you a chance to save a bit?

I truly hope it works out for you, Best of Luck!

Fentdog84

Yeah definitley finish your course whatever you do you have only 1 year left. I dropped out of college myself some years ago because of a financial problem, biggest mistake of my life. You will have much more opportunities when you go looking for a job if you have a college qualification under your belt. Dont worry about the social life thing, there will plenty of that all in good time. Speak to your welfare officers at the college or go onto the website mabs.ie. Is there anyone in your family who could help tide you over, you could arrange to pay them back when you start working. Make sure you watch how you spend money, make sure you get student reductions on things, set weekly budgets for shopping and make sure you shop cheaply in places like Aldi. I only spend 20 euro a week on food.its easy once you get into the rhytmn of it.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies guys! Im lucky enough to be able to live at home while in college but its not easy, my mother works in a low paid job and tries her best to keep food on the table and pay the bills but my father has a gambling and drinking problem he wont admit to. And of course his income is assessed as part of my grant and i never see a penny of it. The grant i received last year just about covered my car insurance and tax with very little left for petrol. My mother just simply cant afford to give me any other cash and to be honest i wudnt expect her to as shes doing so much for me and my sister already. I had an interview last week for a summer job so please god i get it! but thanks again for the replies, you've given me the encouragement to battle on!