Almost indefinite number in university education like money for old rope? (8)
I believe the answer is:
unearned
'like money for old rope?' is the definition.
(money for old rope is money for nothing)
'almost indefinite number in university education' is the wordplay.
'almost' becomes 'near' (near can mean almost or virtually).
'indefinite number' becomes 'n' (mathematical symbol).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'university' becomes 'u' (abbreviation for university).
'education' becomes 'ed' (abbreviation - e.g. sex ed).
'near'+'n'='nearn'
'u'+'ed'='ued'
'nearn' going within 'ued' is 'UNEARNED'.
(Other definitions for unearned that I've seen before include "Not gained by labour" , "Unmerited" , "Not merited by work, like some income" , "Not deserved" .)