I'm wondering if any mums have gone to tafe to study?
I've been a SAHM for the last three years and I have two beautiful babies, but I'm keen to go back to school and study photography as it has always been something I want to do. My problem is we are a one income family and I feel going to school will be financially impossible! Not just the initial enrolment and books but everyday extras like daycare cost and fuel will blow our already tight budget.
I studied breifly when I was younger and centrelink paid my upfront costs as well as reciving fortnightly payments, But I don't know where I stand now that I'm 24 with two children.
I'm also nervous about approaching my partner about it as I feel Guilty that he works so hard so I could stay home and raise our children and now I'm asking him to support me while I study too..
My question is, has anyone gone back to study after a long period of being home with children? Did centrelink help you out?
3 Replies
Some Tafes have payment plans. Tafe is a relatively cheap place to study. Ring your local tafe and find out the exact cost of your course. There probably aren't as many books as your imagining and you can often pick up second hand.
As for child care it depends on how many contact hours you would need. More contact hours = more childcare but ask around sometimes family or friends are prepared to help out for a few hours a week. But with all the childcare assistance payments you might be surprised at how little you have to pay. If he isn't happy to support you in this to help you better yourself he's an arse!
If being on tight budget mean you are low income, you can get reduction in fees by showing your HCC plus you can make payment plan for the remaining amount at tafe. You can also get CCB and CCR from centrelink to help you with childcare fees. I hope this will take much stress off you in terms of money. Good luck :)
We're tight on a budget and I'm studying photography online via the photography institute. Google it and have a look. I've learnt so much. SO many people worldwide and studying via the photography institute. It is run by famous professional photographers and they are your tutors aswell. It's amazing. There's a facebook page for students only if you need advice or help, and we all help each other out as best as we can. It's so successful and when you're finished you get your diploma of photography and can choose to continue with your skills into professional or freelance photography, it's upto you. As a student, I highly recommend this as it works around your busy schedule. Although the course is designed to be completed in 24 weeks, I find that extremely confronting as there is SO much to learn and read and the assignments aren't easy when you've just begun and don't know much. You pay for the 24 weeks via a payment plan so there's no massive debt and if you need an extension I think you get three free months. If you need any longer you pay for the extra time it takes you to complete your course. There's no time limit. One student is on their third year lol.