Hello, I never thought I would have to do this. However, I feel I have no other choice as I have no where else to go for help with this.
Back in 2018, we received the news that my grandmother was terminally ill. I had just finished university and was ready to start in my first graduates role. However after receiving this news, it became apparent that my grandmother was unable to cope and required a live in carer. Due to mental health issues alongside this, she became even more paranoid and refused external carers. Therefore as being the closest grandchild to her, one of the only people she trusted and felt comfortable around, it was decided that I would become a live in carer at my grandmothers. Helping to care, sort out and order medication, take care of her money and bills, alongside working with other professionals involved with her care.
In 2021, after caring for my grandmother for 3 years, I was complimented by other professionals on how well I carry out this role with her. I was advised that I would make a great social worker. From this I contacted the local university to ask about the course and its requirements and as it was during COVID times they advised me that the first year would be all online based – work from home. I thought to myself this is perfect as I would still be able to be there for my grandmother.
I then went on to contact Student finance England to see what entitlements I would get for under going this course, despite already having completed a BA Hons degree. To my surprise they assured me that Social work was a degree in which you do not have to pay for, and that there was a few other degrees in the same category as at the time they where struggling to get people in to the profession. I rang back multiple times to check this, to which I was assured there was no payment needed.
From this, I went a head and signed up, Completed the first year with excellent grades and was happy. I was not until I was about to start the second year, when I suddenly received an email requesting the first years tuition fee, I emailed by confused as I was told it was a free course, however they was having non of it and required me to pay payments of £770.87 each month.
When this came about, my grandmother sadly passed away, this was both mentally and physically draining, I have had to organise her funeral while trying to apply for jobs, and go to interviews.
they kept sending emails stating that this amount is all they can do until the full bill is payed. I panicked as I had no other option, for the first month of paying I managed to afford the whole £770.87 the second month, I only managed to pay £600. I was starting to panic as I had still not got a job at this time.
Until suddenly I received a call stating I had be successful in getting a job at a local nursery. I immediately accepted however, this does not start until next Monday and the pay is at the first of every month. Therefore I will be unable to pay July and Augusts Bill till September, which will also then leave me No money for my rent/food/water.
I feel Silly for thinking I could trust the worked to give me the correct information from student finance England and now I feel under so much stress, dealing with this and and grief of losing my grandmother.
If anybody is able to help me out and help me cover those months I would be enterally grateful.
Paypal – @tutionSW 