Benefits and University

MrsFluffball

OK this is my first post asking for advice, so please be gentle!!

I currently claim Incapacity Benefit and a top up of Income Support. (we get housing and poll tax (or whatever its called now) benefits also)

We have 4 dependent kids and my hubby , who is 39, would like to take a degree at university, as he now has free time from caring for me.

Would he be able to get his fees paid for his course in full, or partially or not at all?

Would him doing his degree affect our benefits?

I suffer from chronic depression and have done for a number of years, and wondered if I could try and refocus my mind with an OU degree or home study degree and have the same questions with regards to funding of the course and weather it will affect the benefits i calim....we dont have any other income other than child allowance.

CIS

You almost certainly would get the fees for the OU covered in full but check here - http://www3.open.ac.uk/studyatou/apply/financial-support.shtml

Old_Sherlock

If your family is on income support you will be entitled to help with course fees ,
In your case depending on the course he enrolls on would imagine this would be paid in full ,if you meet the criteria see this link http://www3.open.ac.uk/studyatou/apply/financial-support.shtml

Old_Sherlock

CIS wrote: »

You almost certainly would get the fees for the OU covered in full but check here - http://www3.open.ac.uk/studyatou/apply/financial-support.shtml

Snap :rotfl:

It would only affect your benifits if he studied full time ..which he obviusly won`t be doing

Oldernotwiser

I read this as that the husband wants to study at a traditional university and the OP wants to study with the OU. If that's the case the husband would be able to claim the fee loan, maintenance loan,and bursary but this would count as income and affect the joint claim for LHA/CTC. Perhaps the OP could clarify what was meant?

seven-day-weekend

I think the questions regarding your benefits are being addressed, but just wanted to say Good Luck - my husband started his degree at the age of 30 and trained to be a teacher at the age of 33 ( and then was a Secondary School Teacher until he took early retirement at 55) and I started my degree at the age of 35.

It's hard, but worthwhile and fulfilling!

Wishing you well.

pandaonmyshoulder

I have a similar question my husband is in work at the moment but it isn't looking good, small shop and many customers /traders aren't paying what they owe. There has started to be a lot of bullying at work basically being told he can't have a lunch hour or holidays and really nasty text messages etc.. and being told that if he doesn't like it he can always leave!

He'll be 50 next year and would like to retrain, he'd have to do an access course first and then uni. We have 4 children (the eldest is wanting to go to uni next sept) too and I am disabled (IB/DLA) not sure whether we would get extra help with fees or maybe income support. The whole situation is very scary to me, my husband has worked all his life at all sorts of jobs with very little periods of unemplyment but then I was working so it wasn't too bad.

Oldernotwiser

pandaonmyshoulder wrote: »

I have a similar question my husband is in work at the moment but it isn't looking good, small shop and many customers /traders aren't paying what they owe. There has started to be a lot of bullying at work basically being told he can't have a lunch hour or holidays and really nasty text messages etc.. and being told that if he doesn't like it he can always leave!

He'll be 50 next year and would like to retrain, he'd have to do an access course first and then uni. We have 4 children (the eldest is wanting to go to uni next sept) too and I am disabled (IB/DLA) not sure whether we would get extra help with fees or maybe income support. The whole situation is very scary to me, my husband has worked all his life at all sorts of jobs with very little periods of unemplyment but then I was working so it wasn't too bad.

What kind of career would he be hoping for after university?

pandaonmyshoulder

My Husband wants to train to be a primary school teacher and he's had a lot of posative feedback from the LEA

Oldernotwiser

pandaonmyshoulder wrote: »

My Husband wants to train to be a primary school teacher and he's had a lot of posative feedback from the LEA

I wish him luck with it. Do make sure that he gets English, Maths and a Science GCSE (if he hasn't got them already) as well as his Access course as these are all requirements for primary teaching. If you have a look at www.direct.gov.uk you'll find a lot of information about financial support for university students. He should be eligible for a loan to pay his fees, a maintenance loan and maintenance grant as a minimum. Your IB and DLA won't be affected. You may well find that funding whilst studying next year is more of a problem than whilst at university; perhaps the Access course near you is available in the evening?