This is sheer desperation. I mean it. I'm financially crippled, and unless I manage to magic up some cash at warp speed, there is a distinct chance I may get suspended from medical school.
The reasons are many, and often include my graduate status, the fact that I'm classed as dependent on my parents (but aren't), and the fact that the student loan company have pulled some of my funding from the last academic year.
So, as much as it pains me to do so... I'm asking for your help. I know I'm not a charity case, but I've come too far to give up now.
The access to learning fund has rejected me, along with my university hardship fund. The bank won't give me a career development loan, so basically I'm screwed.
My one last remaining nerve is about to give in, and I'm inclined to let it.
Please please please, can you even spare me £1??
53 comments:
Hang in there. I've sent what I can afford. Why can't you get your status as dependent on your parents changed? You're over 21 so you should be classed as a mature student surely?
What I could afford. I hope it helps.
I've given what I could - I really hope it helps.
Definitely try to get yourself off the 'dependent' list - your student union should be able to help you with this. (that's what they're paid to do!)
You must get a fair few hits on this site, get some of the google money to help you out
Im sure most people would mind spending a few minutes clicking the ads so you got paid!
(google ads)
Why not try signing up with a scheme such as PayPerPost? You will be paid for blogging. Also you could try google ads. Every little bit helps!
Yes - Google ads - what a good idea then after a few thousand clicks you may have earned the £1 instead of begging for it... think how proud you'll be of that ... Google ads the answer to a maiden's prayer.
I'm unfortunately in the same situation (graduate medic) so can't afford pretty much anything. However, can you not get a PSL (Professional something or other) rather than a CDL? CDL I know has lower interest rates but most of my group are on the other kind. HSBC does them and, I think, Barclays? Another place to try is Sallie Mae, a US company which loan to UK students too.
Merys,
I was directed to your appeal by Bill Sticker.
I don't read your blog, but I certainly empathise with the student situation.
When I was in my last year of university, I struggled with my finances and it caused me major distraction from my study.
I don't know how I would have got by, had it not been for my friends at church who reached into the pockets and gave me money every now and then.
I owe my degree and my current job to those friends, I can't pay them back but I can pay it forward.
I've transferred some money to your account, sorry it's such a small contribution, hopefully you also have some rich (in generosity) friends like I did.
Adding you to my RSS feed so your blog better be good.
Hey M
Have donated what I can and flagged up your situation on TQ. Can't promise, but dammit, people should be able to chuck you a couple of round ones.
Followed Kal's link.
All the best, (I'd send chocolate, but you need moola instead, so I've dropped a bit in the kitty.)
Cadbury Moose
Saw the link on Random, but have been reading your blog for a while. Have put in a wee donation, sorry its not much. Sue
Hiya,
I remember what it's like to have the money terror; I too was a 'dependent student' at 24 and had an income of £1400 for my final year. Just crippling. I've sent just a small donation; hope it helps. It is truly ridiculous, the situation; unfortunately I don't think you'll get your status changed but hopefully as many people as poss will see this and it will get some airtime. I can't believe ALF etc have let you down. :(
Cxx
Done. Good luck.
Yes, you should get the LEA to reassess you as not dependent on parents. Showing them bank statements in which no money comes from any parents at all may help with this, also letters from parents saying they won't give you any if they will be so kind as to write one. I had to do this a few years ago, though I had one parent to say the other one wasn't giving anything at the time. It is worth trying.
Have sent a donation - not much, I'm sure, compared to richer folk - and hope you reach your target!
Sent some to help, hang in there,
thank 'walking the Streets' for the lead
Anyway good luck,
The Devil sent me. My bank has sent some dosh.
Hello Merys, I am really sorry to hear about your money worries. I have sent you a small token. it's as much as I can afford at the moment. I hope things work out for you.
I found your plea on Tom Reynolds' site and decided to send you some money after reading your blog.
Best of luck and don't give up. you've come to far to fail over money.
Sent you the cost of a meal out, I'll eat in instead.
Understand what you're going through, and how humiliating it must feel to ask this. Been in similar circumstances myself and only got out of it due to my friends and family.
Best of luck.
Hi Merys
I came here via TQ. Sounds like a horrible situation to be in. - Very sorry I'm a postgrad student with crazy crazy debts too so probably can't help financially, but I did get myself out of a similar sounding situation a few years ago so was wondering have you tried the CAB - they gave me some useful hints re: funding and helped with the student loan mess? Also your uni students association if they have an advice shop should be able to do something a little more than just pointing you back to the hardship fund.
Maybe worth a try, apols if you have already done all of that. Will have fingers crossed you get it all resolved anyway.
Merys,
have sent you a small donation, hopefully it will help you out even in a small way.
I had to pay for my education too as I didn't qualify for grants due to personal circumstances and I can sympathise with you on this issue. Hard to know where to turn sometimes.
I don't understand this government, how can we treat people in this way and then expect them to stay in this country at the end of it all.
lis parker
Hi Merys,
My daughter started uni in September and is the only one in her flat not to be really struggling financially so ... in genuine appreciation that she is in that position (and not wasting the money she has), I have made a small donation to your fund.
I really hope that you get the money you need in the immediate future and that a longer term solution presents itself. I will keep you in my prayers. Good luck with med school and thanks for 'making a difference'.
Liz x
I'll chip in. I've been buried in the debt mountain, dug my way out of it, wouldn't wish it on anyone else. Good luck with it.
Just leaving a short message and a small donation.
Couple of thoughts about funding - try contacting your local MP about being classed as dependent on your parents - they can often carry some clout with the authorities.
Also, check out the Educational Grants Directory and the Directory of Grant Making Trusts in your local library. As a completely skint postgrad 10 years ago I got £200 out of an obscure edcuational charity as my parent's home was within the catchment area.
Cat
There you go, from one poor sod to another. Good luck :)
Keep at it, It's worth it in the end...from one who as a student bought 10 tins of Angelina Ballerina Spaghetti for £1...and lived on them for 2 weeks!. I've donated what I can
:)
I have good reasons to be very grateful to doctors, some of them students. Donation on the way and remember
Nil illigitemi carborundum
Hope it helps.
I'm old enough to remember when you got a grant so I've lobbed some cash your way, hope it helps. You can thank Mr Reynolds for the link, cheers and best of luck.
Ian
Why have you not had your status as a dependent changed? If you've got 36 months worth of P60/P45/payslips, then you're laughing.
I know lots of medics & midwifery students who intercalate due to finances, it is do-able, you go abck after a year with a little more money & a lot more determination.
Good luck, I hope you can stay on the course.
Sorry I couldn't send more - I paid my way through uni too, and it was hard work for me, even without fees (I studied in France), so I feel your pain.
Came over from Kal's blog.
One of my daughters is studying medicine at Uni, and as the dr shortage in Australia - esp in rural areas where we live - is critical, she is supported in many ways. When you qualify,please consider coming to Australia where, if you are prepared to live in a small country town, you will have a very comfortable home and job before you know it. All the best, and hope my donation helps.
Bye
A
Referred by young Mr Random.. It's not much but hopefully a lot of littles will make a lot. Kindest regards - Parky
Have also come here from Tom Reynolds - have sent a bit. Hope you raise what you are looking for and manage to complete the course.
Keep Blogging,
J
I'm here from Tom's blog too.
how can I chip in?
Deed done, not much I'm afraid but hoping that every penny will count towards your career. I too am old enough to have benefitted from a student grant so was fortunate not to have the same kind of hassles as you're having.
To anonymous just above - click on "Make a donation" to make a secure donation through paypal.
Liza
Saw your plight in both Tom's and Kal's blogs.
Here's a weeks worth of ciggie money.
It's not a donation, it's an investment for when I need someone like you to look after me.
All the best (& I think you owe Tom a pint)
Stuart
I love the internet purely for the chance to directly help someone out in such a simple way.
Oh, and as another Aussie said above, we've plenty of small country towns here who would love to have you. ;)
I was lucky as a student - parental support, in the days of grants and no fees. So here's a little of that luck back.
All the best
Sent this way by a random act of reality : ) Like Cathryn, I too was very lucky as a student (one of the last to have grants and no fees), so this is the least I can do. Wishing you much success in your future career.
s
Reynolds said so, so here I am. It's not much I know but hope it helps.
Donation made - saw you on Reynolds and Kal. Good luck!
You might look into selling text link ads on your blog to raise a bit of dosh. It won't fill Google with happiness at you, but it might help where it's needed. This bunch are new players in the market and I've been meaning to look at them myself: http://www.tnx.net/ (I don't have any relationship with them so I hope that doesn't come off like an ad for them.)
Good luck - I had a mate, years ago, who made it through three years training to be a doctor and had to drop out because he lost his grant for the fourth, so I know where you are now. I hope it works out for you.
I had a friend who was in the same situation as you throughout the whole of uni working 3 jobs while studying full time she made it and passed. I didnt know her then so couldnt help but now i hope that little i ve given will go some way in helping you
All the best
Another refugee from Random Acts here. I've sent you what I can. I really hope you get what you need. x
Merys, I have made a small donation to your fighting fund, it's not much I'm afraid but I do have students of my own to support........ I will e-mail you my postcode at some point in the future and would be much obliged if you'd come rushing round and heal me as a priority case next time I have the classic, middle-aged hangover :)
hope this helps a bit x
Snap donation sent, this country needs more doctors.
Good luck chuck
How did you set up this paypal thing on your blog? I went to paypal but couldn't find a way. I'd like to try an experiment.
Please updated your readers too as you progress with donations.
Thank liza, I didn't notice the big box that you click on - d'oh.
am off to do it now.
best wishes for your next year.
sarah.
xx
Came here via Random Acts too and have made a donation.
All the best
x
I too came from Reynolds blog, wow, the donation was worth it just to have my faith restored in society! Good luck x
Please update on donations. Silence is not golden.
Post a Comment