Masters Degrees & Income Support

johnsons_baby · 17 August 2012 at 11:19AM

Hello all,

I apologise if this is in the wrong category (possibly should be in the benefits forum?) but if so, maybe the mods could move the thread?

I'm a single parent, aged 30, with two daughters, 1yr and a 4 week old.

I claim income support and child tax and child benefit.

I had a letter from my old university offering me a scholarship of £2000 to do a Masters degree, leaving me £1950 to pay over 1 or 2 years (I'm still awaiting clarification from the uni). The course is run between 1pm-9pm one day a week, and counts as a full time course, doing two modules per term.

I rang income support and asked how it would affect my benefits and the lady wasn't sure, I then received a letter to attend a work focus interview, which I am going to on the 28th.

Does anyone know how it might affect income support?

I do want to get back into work and I know that doing a Masters would enhance my job prospects. I did my first degree in Estates Management and having worked in the field after graduation, the next level of jobs usually require an MSc. If I can't get a job in this area, I would like to teach at university level, where most jobs are asking for an MSc.

I would also quite like to get this done and under my belt whilst the girls are small. I want to give them the best possible life and set a good example to them. Luckily my Mum has offered to look after them if I did decide to go forward with my Masters.

I would love to do it, I just don't know how it would affect income support, as I live with my Mum, I don't get housing or council tax benefit.

Many thanks
JB

Voyager2002 · 17 August 2012 at 11:50AM

Be very clear about a few things:

Would the scholarship from the university be a cash payment to you, or a reduction in the tuition fees you would have to pay? Obviously any sort of income would affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits, but if you don't see the money then it would not count against you.

Check at what point you need to be available for work, and the number of hours you would be expected to spend studying each week.

johnsons_baby · 17 August 2012 at 12:00PM

The scholarship is a reduction in tution fees.

All IS said to me was as a lone parent, I have until my youngest child is 5 (I think she said) until I *HAVE* look for work, although I would like to go back to work in January, part time, hopefully within the industry so I can get some on-the-job experience to assist with my MSc.

Dunroamin · 17 August 2012 at 12:07PM

As a lone parent, you can remain on IS until younger child reaches 5, with no need to be available for work. Unless you're receiving any money for maintenance, there's no reason why you can't do your Master's whilst on IS.

Voyager2002 · 17 August 2012 at 12:07PM

OK, so despite the scholarship you will have zero income and so your benefits should not be affected.

System · 17 August 2012 at 12:15PM

Childcare while you are on the course? (and funding for it?)

johnsons_baby · 17 August 2012 at 12:20PM

Childcare...their dad has offered to have them and the day I would be in uni, my Mum has also offered, so I wouldn't be paying for childcare in the formal sense.

Don't receive any maintenance monies from their father, he is an undergraduate student at another university and isn't required to pay anything.

Many thanks for the help so far everyone

Masters Degrees & Income Support

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