part time study/Income Support

Bryando · 8 March 2010 at 6:52PM

Can I still claim Income Support/ DLA if I was to attend Uni as a part time student?

I'm currently a student with the OU. However plan to go to a 'brick' uni. Would I be correct in thinking nothing shall change in respect of the IS?

welshmoneylover · 8 March 2010 at 7:07PM

I think you may have to apply for the student grants and loans, as you will be liable for the tuition fees which I'd imagine are difficult to pay out of IS.

Someone will be along to correct me if I'm wrong here

[Deleted User] · 8 March 2010 at 7:09PM

if you are going to uni full time will you not get student loans plus grants?
you can certainly carry on claiming dla if your circumstances havent changed,and possibly extra help at uni depending on your disabilities

Peanuckle · 8 March 2010 at 7:45PM

I've been told that disabled students can receive income support whilst studying but any money from student loans will be counted as income, I'd love to know if anyone can confirm as my autistic son will be going to college on an advanced course next year so we will have to consider him claiming as the child benefits will stop.

brians_daughter · 8 March 2010 at 9:58PM

if you go to http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm

There is a calc on there for students to use.

You will be entitled to (providing you havent studied/gained a qualification at the same level prior)

BASED ON F/T
Student loan to cover tuition fees -re paid after finish and earning £15k (i think PA)
For f/t you may get
Student maintainance loan upto £4,950 -repaid on same conditions as tuition loan

If you have kids you can access 80% towards childcare fees

Maintenance grant of up to £2,906

I think there is also a parents living grant too, but i am not sure on the amounts.

There is also other funding if you have dependant adults as well.

Also, your uni will have a bursary fund, mine is £500 per year and is paid depending on attendance (dunno re part time tho) as well as the access to learning fund.

You may loose the IS but deffo be able to keep the DLA, CB, TC etc and you may be eligable for HB. You should be no worse off as a student than on IS

disability allowance of
Maximums for full-time and part-time higher education students: 2010/11 or 2009/10
Specialist equipment£5,161 for entire course£5,161 for entire course
There is help for a non medical helper, and then a grant paid to you of around £1600 - double check this figure tho, its off the top of my head

Most of what i have said is based on ft figures, but the like will show you a calculator you can access to work your own circ's out.

Maybe worth a trip to the student money saving board as well, loads of ppl with more info than i have! Soem work for student services etc. Also, may be worth a check up at the uni you are thinking of attending...they can be great

PLEASE check these figures, its only what i know through being a f/t student myself, and everyones situ is diff
HTH

brians_daughter · 8 March 2010 at 10:09PM

Peanuckle wrote: »

I've been told that disabled students can receive income support whilst studying but any money from student loans will be counted as income, I'd love to know if anyone can confirm as my autistic son will be going to college on an advanced course next year so we will have to consider him claiming as the child benefits will stop.

Not too sure. However, there is specific assistance for disabled
students. Try the student boards for specific help, or give student finance a call.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10034876

That may answer some of your questions.

Bryando · 8 March 2010 at 11:18PM

Thanks.

I want to go full time. However doing a Law degree full time will in my opinion end up crushing me I think. So hope to go part time and hope it allows some breathing space.

SAAS said they will not pay me any fees or grants as I will be part time. However they did mention a fee wavier.

Can't understand how me going to uni but still able to get Income Support. I get Income Support due to my mental health. Therefore surely by going to uni shows I'm okay in a lose sense?

Another way I'm looking at it is due to my mental health part time would be good. I was going to get an LLB in english law then scottish law. However soon realised that I would not get my second degree. Therefore getting the money for 2 years of a degree would be out of reach. Alongside funding post grad course.

keet83 · 10 March 2010 at 12:03AM

i studied at uni a few years ago with DLA and income support. a student loan does not effect your DLA at all, (no income effects your DLA) however the income support will change. you are still able to claim it although they now take student loan into account as income, or it was 2 years ago.
also apply for DSA, disabled student allowance. you can possibly get a free computer (apple mac), programmes needed for the course, travel costs, internet costs and a few other bits and pieces

dmg24 · 10 March 2010 at 12:15AM

Hi Bryando,

Good to hear that things are looking a little more positive for you. Part time study sounds like a good idea, and at some universities will only take a year longer than the full time course.

It would be worth contacting Student Support at the uni you are looking at, who can go through both practical and financial options which may be open to you.

Good luck, and if you need any help with your studies, feel free to give me a shout.

Bryando · 11 March 2010 at 5:13PM

Thanks for your help people, cheers

part time study/Income Support

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free