help re open university grant.

iwanttosave_2

hello, I have been looking into doing a course but with two small rugrats its a bit difficult. so i then decided that a home based course would be best, i looked at lern direct, ics e.c.t but when i got to the open university website, using their calculator i found i was eligable for government based funding because i am on income support. Basically i will have my course fees and materials paid for, it is not a busurey.

What i wanted to know was, if half way through my course i went on ftc (my fella is looking for work) would i have to pay any money back. I had one of those annual interviews today will a claim officer at the job center and she didn't know anything about it.

Also can anyone tell me if i opt for an internet course with the open uni, is it all completly on-line or do i have to go to a local collage and mainly can i do it when i have the time or is it set hours, as most will know, with two kids the only time i get to do anything is about 10 o clock after kids are in bed and attempted to make home look half normal.

Any halp wil be greatly appreshiated as my brain is starting to rot.

calleyw

I have no idea about the fees. Apart from you must be doing at least 30 point course to get fee help.

Best to ring up your regional centre normally very helpful. But you will need to pull your finger out to get sorted for next feb.

Does not matter what course you do with OU they are all home study based. There are some tutorials about once month but you don't have to attend.

Some will have exams like mine on thursday :eek:

Some are set so you can send your assignment via the OU system. Otherwise it is by post.

You set your study time BUT and this is a big but. If you are doing a 30 point course you need to allow at least 8 hours week to study. When assignments are due you will probably need at least 12 hours a week. If doing a 60 point course at least 16 hours aweek. And when assignmentsn due about 20 hours a week.

And I get to start all over again in January :j


Yours


Calley

sallypurple

I work full time and am on WFTC. My husband is doing an Open University degree and this is fully funded. Basically, if you qualify for free prescriptions you get the free courses. Also It is assessed on your circumstances at the start of the course so you would not have to pay anything back.

iwanttosave_2

i don't mind putting the hours in, in fact i enjoy studying (how sad) it is a health and social course that i want to do. What do you mean about feb, is that when the next round of courses start.

Also i have a fortnights holiday booked for next september, would this matter if i just put in the extra time

calleyw

iwanttosave wrote:

i don't mind putting the hours in, in fact i enjoy studying (how sad) it is a health and social course that i want to do. What do you mean about feb, is that when the next round of courses start.

Also i have a fortnights holiday booked for next september, would this matter if i just put in the extra time

Courses have various start dates. The one both my husband and I want to do starts in Jan. Some start in feb and some start in september. No problems with taking holidays when you want. You just need to be a aware of when your assignments are due and get them in on time.

Not working at the moment but have to find £575 each for our courses as not sure we qualify for any funding.

Yours

Calley

iwanttosave_2

if you have a little look round on the website you will find a little calculator that will tell you. Are you claiming anything?

iwanttosave_2

you can get help if you are getting income support, housing benifit, council tax benifit, jsa or are unemployed.

Also you can get a full reward if houshold income is less than £14,969 or a partial reward for income under £22,000.

the calcutator can be found here

if you live with parents they do not take their income into account.

meerustar

I've completed 4 years with the OU and tomorrow start at a 'regular' Uni as it is whats best for the Teacher Training I need.

I had all my OU courses paid for as i was on Income Support and have this course paid for by the LEA as I work part time at a Primary School.

Don't be fooled by the TV ads which say 'study at your own pace, blah blah' as assignments dates are very strict (you can get extensions but there musy be a VERY good reason and even then you may only get a week or two)

Don't underestimate the workload either, I know 8 hours doesn't sound a lot, but when your learning something knew, it can be a bit full on.

I'm not trying to put you off but my first year was crazy as I thought I'd sail through, I did pass, but I made it much harder on myself by not organising my time properly and panicing come assignemnt time.

If I remember correctly, not only did I get my course paid for, but for last year I also got a £250 grant for books and stuff which came in handy.

And most importantly, ENJOY IT. It can be hard work, and very frustrasting at times but there is no better feeling than when you pass. There is an excellent support network of students on First Class (OU students conferencing) and if your ever stuck, they sre there to help.

Oh, and the only stupid question is the one you dont ask.

Good Luck, you gooooooooo girl!!!!!!!!!!!!

iwanttosave_2

I'm going ahead with it and going to register but can anyone tell me what the difference is between doing the normal course and the on-line course?

calleyw

iwanttosave wrote:

I'm going ahead with it and going to register but can anyone tell me what the difference is between doing the normal course and the on-line course?

No idea as they are all self study just different ways of submitting course work. Some are via the OU own system and others by post.

Unless it means that you have to download your own notes and print them off.

Could you give us examples of the courses and I will take a look.


Yours

Calley

trisho

With 'normal' courses you get your course materials by post, send your assignments by post and get them back by post. You are also offered the chance of 'face to face' tutorials with your tutor. These are for small groups of students, may be some miles away from you and at inconvenient times (it all depends on the popularity of your course and to some extent the level of the course). The on line version is exactly what it says,materials by post then you are asigned a tutor whom you communicate with by the Ou's version of a chat forum, send your asignments by a version of email and get them back that way. You never have to leave your home - unless there is an exam at the end of the course. Having done 2 on line courses, and about to start my fourth course with face to face tutorials - I have mixed views about both methods - on line can be lonely, you rarely meet either a fellow student or tutor but if you have difficulty getting to tutorials (I work shifts and my nearest tutorials are 50 miles away) they are great. If in any doubt which is right for you, phone your regional center 0161 998 7007/7478 and ask for advice. They should be able to tell you how frequently they will be planning tutorials for your course and where they hold them.
Good luck - the Ou can become addictive and is life changing
Trish