Help with college living costs?

[Mattc2012]

Hi. I'm 24 and looking to go back into education in September (by which time I'll be 25) to study Animal Behaviour.

 

I was told by a university this week that I would need either A Levels or an Access to HE course to allow me to apply.

There seems to be plenty of funding available for university students,

but I can't seem to find any for full time college students,

as you can not apply for student living grants/loans until uni.

 

I am living away from home and have been claiming ESA for a while now, but that will be ending soon.

I know I can get a loan to cover the cost of any course and exam fees (from 24+ Advanced Learning Loan),

but does anyone know of any help with living costs,

or even any benefits I can claim whilst at college to pay for rent, food, bills etc?

 

I don't know if this is the right place to post this thread, or even if anyone here can help,

but I thought it was worth a shot as CAG has been very helpful in the past,

and I'm struggling to work out what to do now after being turned down by the university.

 

 

Thanks.

 

Matt.

[id6052]

student finance is a specialised area, and usually the best people to get advice from would be Student Services at a local college or uni

 

just a thought (which maybe others can answer), is it possible to get student finance if a person goes down the foundation degree or HND/HNC route rather than A level/Access to HE route

[Mattc2012]

Thanks for the reply.

 

Student finance is available for a foundation year, but that is apparently what I need A levels to gain access to! Considering they are supposed to be encouraging people to go back into education, they make it incredibly difficult to actually do!

[estellyn]

Can you do a-levels part time while working - there are evening classes.

[fletch70]

I found the best people to talk to were the welfare rights team at the Students Union. When I spoke to student Finance they were very prescriptive but the S.U. were able to explain things more flexibly. Are you coming off ESA because you are better or because you have been forced off? You can qualify for ESA if you are a student .

[Mattc2012]

Thanks for the info Fletch70. I'll look at contacting the S.U.

 

I won an ESA appeal around 12 months ago, which they said would be reviewed in 12 months, so I'm guessing it's due! I still don't feel fit for work but I very much doubt they will let me stay on it. Do you know of any other options if they won't let me stay on ESA?

 

Estellyn, unfortunately the courses I need to do to go to uni aren't available as part time at my local colleges. I'm in contact with the uni and every alternative part time course I have suggested would not be enough for them.

 

I'm very grateful for everyone's help.

 

Matt.

[reallymadwoman]

Could you perhaps do an OU foundation course? They don't have any entry requirements and it would prove you can cope with the level expected of a degree course. At 25 are you considered a mature student as they're often rather more flexible about entry requirements then.

 

I do know that there was no funding available and no benefits available for my stepson during his final year at college prior to going to uni, other than the bank of Mum and Dad of course. It's a bit of a gap in the system, if you're too old for child benefits/credits the only funding available is for degree level study.

[fletch70]

Matt

All I can say about ESA is don't accept defeat until the fat lady sings!

You know the system better now, when you fill in your claim form I assume you still have your appeal decision and if things are still the same you will know what approach to take.

 

I do know the rules are very complicated and depends on if it is full time or part time . I am sorry I can not help more.

Just a thought, is it the subject that really interests you or is it the thought of education?

I am twice your age (oh how patronising that sounds lol) but am in my first year of a BA in social studies. I am probably one of only 2 or 3 people on my course with A levels

[Mattc2012]

Thanks Fletch. It's the subject that interests me really. I've finally found something I want to do and I think I'd be good at, yet I can't do it because there is no support to do so. Seems ridiculous to me.

 

No apology necessary! I appreciate the help

 

reallymadwoman (love your name!), The OU course may be an option if I can stay on ESA whilst I do it. I didn't realise student funding was available for OU degrees. However to apply for that, they need my NI number, which means the benefits will probably be stopped anyway! But it's given me another option to look into, so thank you.

[reallymadwoman]

My daughter claims benefits and does OU study. Even if you're on JSA they accept it as part time, so you can still claim JSA so long as you meet all the other conditions or ESA as it's all done from home. The only funding is for the course fees themselves plus daughter gets a small amount toward books etc, though it does more than cover the cost.

 

As has been said, hope for the best with your ESA until they actually stop it - in view of the backlogs at the moment they may not even get around to you for months. If it is stopped and you have to sign on for JSA you can carry on with your OU course until you've got enough to get you onto your preferred degree course.

 

Assuming the courses haven't changed drastically since I did mine (unbelievably, it's now 25 years ago!!!) it's very accessible and not over demanding of your time. Daughter seems to be doing ok with no obvious effort at all. I'm almost sure she only reads the bits needed for assignments unless she's doing an awful lot of work at night!

[fletch70]

I applied for my first year of funding last May, benefits were only affected after I actually received the first payment. I still get underlying ESA but because my income is above the limit I get no money. It does however trigger Housing Benefit and you get the special support grant instead of the normal grant. All that means is that you get the full loan (which has to be paid back) as well as the grant

[Mattc2012]

Haha. Thanks reallymadwoman, I'll look more into the OU and ESA/JSA route.

[Mattc2012]

Fletch, when you say it triggers HB, do you mean they won't pay?

 

Also do you mind me asking whether you're doing a full time, part time or OU course? And are you working as well? I'm only asking because I didn't think you could get the extra living loan or grant for OU?

[antone]

I didn't realise student funding was available for OU degrees. However to apply for that, they need my NI number, which means the benefits will probably be stopped anyway! But it's given me another option to look into, so thank you.

 

Just to pick up on this, your benefits won't be stopped or otherwise affected simply because you make an application for student funding. Of course, if you do start a course and receive funds that may be different (as others have said) but don't be put off making applications just because they ask for your NI number.

[Nystagmite]

There's only the tuition fee loan for OU study.

[fletch70]

Fletch, when you say it triggers HB, do you mean they won't pay?

 

Also do you mind me asking whether you're doing a full time, part time or OU course? And are you working as well? I'm only asking because I didn't think you could get the extra living loan or grant for OU?

Matt

Hb is not normally paid to students as you are expected to pay your housing costs out of your loans etc, there are exceptions. Having children is one as is qualifying for ESA. Obviously there is no guarantee that you will get full HB that depends on what you have coming in but with ESA once classified your weekly living allowance is higher.

 

I am doing a full time University degree over 4 years , the fact the Uni class it as full time is enough as with a degree "contact hours" might only be a few a week but actual hours spend studying are a lot more

[Mattc2012]

But if there are no loans available through the Open Uni then they should surely pay HB as long as I can claim either ESA or JSA, have I got that right?

 

Thanks for your patience by the way, my head is all over the place with this!

 

Antone, thanks for that. Can they not class me as fit for work if I start enquiring about uni courses?

[Nystagmite]

Income based ESA or JSA entitles you to full HB for your situation

[reallymadwoman]

My understanding is that if you are doing a part time OU course, it's totally ignored so far as benefits are concerned.

[fletch70]

I am on a full time course and still qualify for ESA although should they reasses me it may be stacked against me. Work and study are very different.