Paying for university - Help!

[Steam]

Give her a home-brewing kit. That way at least 70% of her university expenses will be covered.

[vindy500]

i took 2 gap years, after school i was just too burned out to go to uni, no regrets here

[Hitcher]

The spot market price for a kidney is about $50,000, if it's clean and reputable. You only need one.

[BiK3RChiK]

I know this may sound lame, but, from what I've heard the food at hostels is crap too, so hopefully, she knows how to cook because if her health deteriorates, then she will be up for medical expenses. So make sure she has access to good meals and knows how to stay healthy.

[Cruisin' Craig]

I don't think she should take the year off. Most people who have a 'gap' year don't end up going to uni because they are used to having money.

My sister went to uni in Dunedin straight after 7th form but only stayed for a year. She had a few years working and is now studying to be a teacher (just like her lil sis) and is finding it *so* hard to pay bills, live normally etc.

I'm with you on that one.
A lot of people who take time off studying never get back to it as you say, and those who do go back to study often find it difficult to get back i to the swing of things. Not only because they are used to having money, but also because you lose study and learning skills and it can take time to get them back again.

As it happens, I worked for a number of years before going to uni and am now a teacher. So I know just where your sister is coming from!

[TOTO]

Read the original post so thats what i'm replying.

Studying full time so:

*Course fees payd by study link, including books - LOAN

*$150 bux from study link for living costs - Loan

*25hours a week in two jobs.

Enogh cash for living and doing three day tours on ma bike, and going for spontanius rides here and there and gas for during the week, and buying foood. Cash can be made if your daughter is prepared to put some effort and get a job or two like I do. And she wont depend on you for a money. Win Win situation I reacon.

thats my 2c.

[brendonjw]

Worked part time for 20 hours (going up to full time over xmas and breaks) and living at home was how i did it. Watched what i spent on booze etc. Paid for it all myself (parents contribution was letting me live at home rent free
A lot depends on your outlook and how you spend your money, the highest my student loan got to was $5000 (was paying some semestas in cash, which i wouldnt do now due to the no interest thing) In comparison my brother did a course that cost about the same (living at home too), worked similar hours (maybe not quiet as much but close) and his loan is currently around $20,000.

[Beemer]

It's bloody hard and I certainly feel sorry for those wanting to get a good education and then having to pay for it for years to come. I wasn't interested in going to uni when I first left school but I went nursing about six years later. I loathed it and gave up in the first year, then didn't do any more study for another nine years when I went to Wellington Polytechnic and got my journalism certificate (now called a diploma as it's through Massey - same thing though!). I wanted to do some advanced journalism papers but my boss wasn't supportive and felt I was getting ideas above my station, so I did one then gave up. Back in 2006 when working at Massey I decided to finish my qualification so I studied extramurally. Took me 18 months and cost me about $3000 but at least I was able to get a loan for that. Last year I also decided to do a publishing course so I'm now half-way through that and will owe about $6000 when I'm finished. I was eligible for the student loan side of things only as I was studying extramurally (I didn't take any money for books as mine only came to about $500 in total) and as I'm self-employed I just slotted my work in around my study.

It was bloody hard going back to studying 28 years after leaving school and 12 years after doing any other study so I would advise letting her go now - but I do like the idea of part-time study. Following my mother's death late last year I took six months off from my second course of study and will resume that mid-year. It is nice being able to step back and relax for a bit and I am sure I will enjoy it more when I get back into it.

I graduate next Tuesday (NOT with first class honours, giggle!) and feel proud of what I've achieved. I never got top marks but I passed and that's what matters!

[imdying]

Does she have any special talents? I worked my way through my degree doing software development, earnt enough to keep running my ZX6R happily, plus buying all the latest greatest hardware for my computers etc. As a bonus, the experience meant I had jobs to pick from when I graduated.

[ManDownUnder]

It's a tough one but a combination of things below helped me get myself through Uni...

Get a tradable skill before going. Bar tending is a good one... work ocassional nights, or work in a bottle store. Not glamorous work but the hours are well suited to someone attending Uni by day

Take out a student loan, but spend it as slowly, keep it low, and repay it fast as possible.

Stock up on essential items before hitting uni. Transport (cheap simple car), washing mashine, clothing and a computer. Basic PC is fine. Inkjet printers are good, or access to a 24 hour printing facility (there WILL be last minute assignments to be printed and submitted... bank on it).

A good idea of what she wants to do after Uni. Uni's a great place to rack up debt for no good reason if you don't have a firm direction, or at least some direction. My preference is to get in, get it done, get out.

[jimmy 2006]

buy her a still.
$500 bucks gets you all you need to start brewing vodka.

mates at otago paid their way through uni by having one in their bath tub.

[Hitcher]

Or you could tell her that education is over-rated and under-valued and to piss off overseas, do her OE and marry a plastic surgeon.

[Steam]

(cheap simple car)

No way! She does NOT need a car at uni if she is stuggling to afford it in the first place. A bicycle certainly. Cars eat up so much money.

[Macstar]

I applied for every scholarship possible at uni (and got good grades in the mean time). I was lucky to be awarded over $30,000 in scholarships in the end. I also bought and sold cars and bikes throughout uni, worked part time and took out a tenancy on a 4brdm house allowing me to rent each room out and only have to pay $50p/w rent in Akl!!!!

When times were really tough I would eat at the Student cafe and buy the late night budget meals for $3.45

I would also take the $1000 course related costs each year and invest it in the share market.

My 5 years at uni were fantastic and each year I travelled abroad, Australia x 3, China and Japan.

I guess what I am saying is - LOOK FOR THE OPPORTUNITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[karla]

I graduate next Tuesday (NOT with first class honours, giggle!) and feel proud of what I've achieved. I never got top marks but I passed and that's what matters!

Congratulations!!