Mature student NI - funding if leave your job?

thriftyminx13

!! I think the hardest thing is the first contact, making the decision and speaking to someone. II think it'll be great for him to go do. And thanks for your honesty and help.

lrr wrote: »

just contact your local college and apply. they have student services there to make sure you get all the help you need., just make an appointment with them.

only thing about college is it does make you feel old as full of 16 year old's but dont let that put you off. im in a class where i am the only mature student and female but couldnt care less but credit to them they are fine with me and actually its a good laugh to see things from their perspective! life is one big drama to them, o boy are they in for a shock!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

lrr_2

he wont regret it, especially just now as there are no jobs out there so best time to do it. if applying though tell him to do it quick as spaces will fill up quickly with people getting paid off just now, he can always cancel nearer the time if he changes his mind. you are able to apply now for september. glad to be of help!

thriftyminx13

That's a very good point and hadn't thought about that.

lrr wrote: »

he wont regret it, especially just now as there are jobs out there so best time to do it. if applying though tell him to do it quick as spaces will fill up quickly with people getting paid off just now, he can always cancel nearer the time if he changes his mind. you are able to apply now for september. glad to be of help!

wifeforlife

rjh090384 wrote: »

i was also thinking of doing something similar. but with a young baby and a mortgage, i would need a guarantee that i would get an amount equal to my wages to support me as we just about manage on that at the minute

I looked into going back to University when I was 22 and was advised against it by the advisor, I wouldnt have been entitled to any help as I would have been giving up a perfectly good and stable job

I didnt qualify for any benefits or bursaries and couldnt afford to live on just WFTC with CTC

I've continued to work full time, although I've been studying with the OU for 2 years now, I qualified for a bursary with them and have no fees to pay at all. It will take 5-6 years but I'm not stuck to one degree either, I can carry the points to a new course and I can afford to keep paying the bills

Good luck in what ever you all choose to do, it's a perfect time to be thinking of education and learning new skills

Cate

thriftyminx13

Oh really if you leave your job you won't be entitled to anything. ih dear, thats not good. We don't have any savings etc and hoped that he might get something towards fees etc.

I think there are lots more questions.

cathy2702 wrote: »

I looked into going back to University when I was 22 and was advised against it by the advisor, I wouldnt have been entitled to any help as I would have been giving up a perfectly good and stable job

I didnt qualify for any benefits or bursaries and couldnt afford to live on just WFTC with CTC

I've continued to work full time, although I've been studying with the OU for 2 years now, I qualified for a bursary with them and have no fees to pay at all. It will take 5-6 years but I'm not stuck to one degree either, I can carry the points to a new course and I can afford to keep paying the bills

Good luck in what ever you all choose to do, it's a perfect time to be thinking of education and learning new skills

Cate

lrr_2

I didnt have any savings and still went. Like I said previously in post I got a bursary at NQ level (dont have to pay it back) and a student loan this year.

belfastgirl23

There are student financial advisors in the students union in both NI universities who should be able to give even some basic advice to you...

purt

StudentFinanceNI should provide you with all the information you require in terms of funding for Higher Education if that's what he's interested in pursuing. Applications for support are generally means tested so it will be determined by how much he earns at present. If he gives his job up then obviously he would be entitled to greater support.

He needs to be clear what he hopes to achieve from going back to study. Is it just an interest (i.e to pursue a subject he likes/has an interest in) or is it to pursue a specific career path? If it's the latter he ought to choose his course carefully and consider the entry requirements for it. Some courses require specific 'A' levels with specific grades and he may have to go back and study for those first. Some HE institutions will take mature students after interviewing them but different institutions have their own entry requirements. The UCAS website can advise in terms of 'A' level entry requirements for courses etc.

As for the student experience as a mature student; I've been a student at the age of 19-22 and have also taught in a university. From both experiences I can say that mature students are increasing in numbers and it's no bad thing. They bring a different dimension to seminars and appear to get more out of Higher Education than those fresh from school.

It's worth noting that now would be the perfect time to make a decision on this. He might actually be too late for entry to courses starting in September/October 2009 (although he could go through Clearing - I think). Worth checking the UCAS website on this.

Hope this helps - feel free to message with any specific questions

thriftyminx13

Just an update he's in the process of discussing with a course tutor. so fingers crossed for sept 2009! although he's still not sure. But i let him read all the posts on here, so hopefully the money aspect will not put him off.

Jeanmac

:money: I am disabled and a mature student with the Open University, I highly recommend that route to obtain your degree. The have courses to suit everybody and tutorials which you can attend or not as you wish, a personal tutor to assist via email or telephone. Their costs are a fraction off brick University's and second to none. In some instances you might be able to get a grant because of disability, done thorough assesment for DSA and your doctor. It might be that you also need a computer or software to continue your chosen subject, which the OU will supply plus any training necessary in order to make use of these. They treat their students very well you can do multiply courses and finish your degree in three years or opt for the slower steady pace. I highly recommend The Open University and I found the tutorials a great experience which didnt prove difficult or awkard because I was disabled or mature, I fitted in right away. If you would like any more information please contact me again, I couldnt be sure if the lady at Belfast OU, would know about leaving your job which would make your position worse perhaps but you could ask. If you had a health problem perhaps your GP could consider putting you off the job for medical reasons rather than leaving.