Need Help On College Choice...

[Glitch100]

Hey all...
I am just finishing my A levels, and i have made the choice to go to a Qantm College in London, to Learn 3D Animation. The Diploma, can then go into a degree after in the same area, but right now all that's important is the Diploma.
My main issue atm, is no income, i have savings which could pay for the costs, which are about 10k :/ but then I'd be short on cash, My parents can't help me out that much, as neither are working, both redundant, and planning on going abroad, so i basically have to sort myself out and start bringing some money in. But I'm determined to do this course.
I have looked into CDL's which is basically a student grant (career something loan). But I don't know what the best strategy is guys...
I need an income, but its almost impossible to get jobs atm with the recession and what not, and my part time job at Argos ends next weekend...
All serious answers please :)
Thanks For Your time, and reading.

[phatmuther]

CDL - Career Development Loan right? Normally thats for older students, people who are going to uni 25+ years.

You will qualify for a normal student loan from the government since your going into further/higher education, Uni after college. Since neither of your parents are working you will also get a bit more than other students and you may also be eligible for some other grants. Dyslexic? Can get free laptops and what not.

http://www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk You will find everything you need to know on there. They have centres about the UK aswell so you can pop in and talk to someone. Or you can call them up, explain the situation and they'll sort you out.

Also your current college should have someone you can talk to about continuing education and finance, guidance counselor or something, ask a tutor, they should know. Or even ask your new college for advice, should help you out.

[phatmuther]

Double Post Because I'm Awesome!!!

[Glitch100]

Aww i see, Thanks Phat, but i've already looked on that site, and it appears im only Eligible for 3000 > not being Dyslexic and all lol >
If i do this course, i get given a beastly laptop anyway.
So im still like 7000 short, and im trying to avoid spending to much money, as in times such as these its hard to get a job. My parents told me that if im so passionate about it, i should send like 50 CVs, or like emails to companies asking if they can take me on and train me or something :S >
?

[phatmuther]

Call em up, you'd be surprised what random grants are about. Your new college might also provide a grant, my old uni did. Just start calling people and find out everything you can.

[Glitch100]

Aww wickid dude, ill give em a call then :)

[WACCOE]

Get bar work in London.

[Snowy M1nge]

Been at uni for 3 years now and have seen different people, all in different circumstances with money and student loans.

If both your parents are redundant and thus fall under the 29 thousand mark category (both parents combined income in a year) I think you're usually eligible for around 2100 a term, which is IMO, more than enough. (If you're in London I think you get more than that - quite substancially too). I spend around 1000 a Term on food, drink and all my other bits and bobs and live quite nicely :). My parents pay my rent and I get around 1100 a Term to live on in student loan.

You can get your Uni fees paid for - which you later repay, you do it via the studentloans company or something.

You'll probably be eligible for the full 2200+ a term - a student loan.

If you get I think maybe A A A - or equivalent (maybe A A B or something) you may be eligible for a Scholarship - In which you receive 800 extra every uni year. - Not repayable

Some places give you 500 quid bursary in the first year for joining - Not repayable.

A few of my mates get extra bursaries for other things, not sure what. But you'll be eligible for something if both parents are redundant.

One of my mates even gets his rent paid for him and also gets 180 quid a week, because he has depression and a mild personality disorder. A lot of my mates parents don't give them any money for rent or food, it can be easily done with todays student loans, grants and bursaries.

BTW - I'm incredibly stoned right now, woooop. . .

[Glitch100]

Minge, thats awesome dude :D
Its just that the course is not like other stuff. It is to be done in like... one year, thats where im not sure whats going on, as uni is like 3-4 years right? well this is a diploma thing for one year, and converts to a degree in a second year.

[Snowy M1nge]

Yeah man, right, with some courses they make you do a foundation year as well as getting the grades to enter, after the foundation year you will be allowed to enter the actual university degree. (usually the case with arty degrees).

My first year was to get into second year, second year is equivalent to a Higher national diploma and I get my Bachelors degree for third year, second year is counted 20% unless yer overall final year is %age wise better than second year.

What course are you actually going to study then? Do you have a link to it on a website or anything mate? You should probably apply via UCAS and see what kind of offers they're giving out etc, even if you don't end up going you may as well apply. . .

[Glitch100]

Already applied via ucas, for LSBU, Games Culture, and Greenwich Uni, similar Computer science thing, and this College course. But like a donut i applied for the degree. :s
I want to do a Course in 3D Animation (diploma) its 1 year, cost around 12k FULL. And if you desire you can do another year and it does a degree.
Heres a link: Link (http://www.qantm.co.uk/courses/3d_animation_diploma.php)

[Snowy M1nge]

Hmmmm, I did a college course in multimedia that was 2 years long didn't cost anything and I got a National Diploma at the end of it? It may be a higher national diploma, but I believe them to be free as well at local colleges. Not sure what kind of Diploma it is really?

My housemates do a similar course which is 3 years at uni, and at the end you get a Bachelors Degree, which is higher than a diploma (I believe). The course fees are 3000 a uni year and you study a variety of things such as history of moving pictures, 3d design and modelling, sound media and loads of others, not really sure what that course is offering :/ lol :p

Just found this actually:

About Qualifications (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/QualificationsExplained/index.htm?cids=Google_PPC&cre=Education_Learning_Franchise)

Bachelors Degree (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/QualificationsExplained/DG_10039021)

[WACCOE]

Innit really hard to get a job in this sort of thing, even after getting your degree or whatnot?

I'd prolly advise looking into that before you commit money.