Support for my son at University

I have been supporting my son at University by paying his rent, bills, food etc. This has been difficult as the divorce dragged on for a couple of years and was only finalised before Christmas. He is 22 and I thought was about to finish. At the weekend he informed me that this was the third year that he was attempting to complete the first year of his Law degree. I was stunned. He says that the divorce upset him and he couldn't concentrate and he expects me to carry on supporting him until he finishes the degree and completes further courses in order to become a solicitor. I'm due to get married soon and my fiance thinks he's sponging off me and just enjoys the life of being a student so he doesn't have to get a job. We want to buy our own house and I don't feel I can support my son to the level I have. I was thinking of giving him a set allowance and letting him get on with it rather than have me pick up every bill. Any suggestions? Also is there a limit on how long a parent has to support a child at University, especially if they keep retaking years. Any advise would be welcome.

omg i think you have done an amazing job of supporting him this long he is an adult they get grants at universaty a set allowance sounds good also tell him to get a job sorry if this sounds harsh my son is 18 and just about to start university and i know i couldnt support him that long

I am amazed that the university has let him repeat a year twice. It would be very unusual. Time to give him a fixed allowance and let him take out the student loan, I think.

Best wishes,
Sadie

Hi

To be honest I think he is taking the mickey. A normal degree course takes 3 years and you could have expected to suport him through that. If he has failed to come up to the mark then that is his fault and he has to learn to live with the consequences.

There is no reason for him not to take a job and learn the ways of the world. You will probably be faced with support for the Gap Year that he will want after he graduates and that becomes more expensive than anytime at Uni.

So put your foot down, tell him the way it is and see what he comes up with. You have to draw the line somewhere.

Gershie

If he's over 21 he can apply for funding as an independent student and get a full grant (ex a teacher - remember him telling me this!)

No such things as full grants any more, and certainly not for students repeating years.
Sorry.

Sadie

Sorry but maintenance grants do still exist for independent students to make up the difference between a student loan and the amount needed to live at uni and they can cover repeating years.

Check with your local authority - maybe there are differences in different areas but I know what I posted is accurate in my area.