Too old for EMA, not allowed ALG, what do I do?

FundsRunningLow

I find threads like this one http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1098489 when searching myself, but they don't fit my situation completely so I'm still a bit lost.

About me, I'm 24, studying 25hours a week (+ countless hours at home, the course is hard!) I live at home with my parents paying rent/board (they will and have kicked me out for not paying before... "tough love"? hehe), I have a car but do get a fuel allowance, no kids, no husband, no disabilities etc.


So;
I applied for ALG for the 2nd year of my course back in Sept 08 and at the end of December some money started going in. So I think GREAT, the ALGs come through and I can concentrate on studying, leave work and live off the measly £30 a week for a little while (semi-doable) which might even help getting me used to student life. So now I'll do really well and meet the higher requirements for the more desirable degrees I've been offered.

Now I've been told the ALG people screwed up and nothing should have gone in. I'm also refused it as apparently a course I did before this current one runs me over the max time I'm allowed ALG... Nice.


Now I'm feeling stuck and depressed. Do I really have to go back to work, actually be able to live but have the massive amounts of work I have to do get the best of me, end up having to settle for a lower level university degree and feel crappy for the next 3-4 years knowing I could do better??

I keep seeing this "LSF" name pop up, is there ANYTHING out there to support someone in my situation now? I do actually NEED to pay rent, car insurance, bills etc so just curling up into a ball for the next 6months isn't an option.

Please someone, this sucks.

payless

what course are you doing.

FundsRunningLow

Ah right sorry, it's a Btech National Diploma (2yrs).

payless

Can only suggest you speak to Connexions Direct . or look at
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/index.htm
for further guidance on grants and other support

Thing is a Btec ND is effectively only at "A" standard and as such is classed as Further rather than Higher Education, and most further education is completed pre 19 .

There is assitance for those returning to Higher Ed as mature students, but less so for FE

I did mine- ( well Btec NC as part-time) in the evenings ( 3 x 3 hrs pw) whilst working full time.... is that an option for you ?

Oldernotwiser

I imagine you can't get ALG because you already have a level 3 qualification. You really need to get a part time job alongside your course, like most people do and consider whether, as you're finding a BTEC National so demanding, university study is appropriate for you. I taught this level for years and BTEC is far less challenging academically than any degree and far less demanding in terms of hours put in.

FundsRunningLow

Perhaps "hard course" was the wrong way of wording it. It doesn't take much brain power it's just time consuming, it's A LOT of easy work so to say.

Back to work it is I guess. Thanks for the advice tho!