Need urgent advice about university and riba, please help
Assalamu alaikum, Most of my year group are at university this year (Muslim and non-Muslim). I’m someone who wants to aim for places like Oxford, LSE, Cambridge etc. For Oxbridge especially, you usually need to live away from home rather than commute (at least for me). I’m on a gap year, and I didn’t reapply for personal reasons and because of this financial issue. I’ve looked into degree apprenticeships but don’t think they suit me. They seem really fast-paced and I don’t have the confidence to get through multiple interview stages - I suffer from social anxiety and worry I’d fail the first one. I also don’t want to be stuck in a very niche role; I’d prefer a broader degree (e.g. economics rather than audit). What do I do? Honestly I don’t have around £10k a year to pay up front. I can’t work because of my health. I tried to make income from digital products using my academic skills, but it’s too time-consuming and I’m too fatigued to keep it up. Scholarships and bursaries often involve several interview stages - I might be strong academically but not socially, so I feel they’d pick someone else. This isn’t self-doubt for the sake of it, just being realistic. Does anyone have suggestions on halal ways to fund living costs or study without taking riba-based loans? Any practical options for someone with health limits and social anxiety? JazakAllah khair for any ideas.