open university information/funding

dinkie_2

Yes, Sue, I'm afraid that did sound mean. I'm educated up to HND standard, not just in Fine Art (but didn't expect the awful last few years of health problems which are ongoing and very traumatic) ... so I am fully able to understand the costs involved in certifying, but as the OU is such a large organisation and putting so much money into putting these courses online in October, as the article links I included describe, I didn't know if part of that money could well involve certification or in which levels that could maybe be for example automated. I'm going to just get on with teaching myself.

Cat

equine_induced_poverty

you can have an outstand ing amount on an old student loan, as long as you have paid any arrears that are actually due. i.e. money you should have paid when the loan was NOT deferred. If you loan has been continually deferred, then there should be no arrears. All you owe is the initial loan plus interest. THIS DOESN'T COUNT. It only counts if like me you forgot or refused to pay back the money when it was not deferred.
If you are on benefits the grants you get from the SLC for your OU study do not have to be paid back. They are not loans, it is just the way the system is set up that the money comes thru the SLC.
Hope this makes it clearer!

equine_induced_poverty

Oh by the way, I paid off my arrears, and got the remainder deferred. SLCWORKER who posts on this site can help you better if you are not sure if you have arrears or not. Remember it is the payments that are in arrears that count, not the size or age of the student loan.

dinkie_2

equine_induced_poverty wrote:

you can have an outstand ing amount on an old student loan, as long as you have paid any arrears that are actually due. i.e. money you should have paid when the loan was NOT deferred. If you loan has been continually deferred, then there should be no arrears. All you owe is the initial loan plus interest. THIS DOESN'T COUNT. It only counts if like me you forgot or refused to pay back the money when it was not deferred.
If you are on benefits the grants you get from the SLC for your OU study do not have to be paid back. They are not loans, it is just the way the system is set up that the money comes thru the SLC.
Hope this makes it clearer!

Oh by the way, I paid off my arrears, and got the remainder deferred. SLCWORKER who posts on this site can help you better if you are not sure if you have arrears or not. Remember it is the payments that are in arrears that count, not the size or age of the student loan.

Hi equine_induced_poverty

You've made my day/week/year! Thank you loads. The OU had responded to my application and also said that any previous student loan won't jeopardise OU funding unless I'm in debt to the SLC. But I was still confused as to whether that meant I had to pay previous loan back in full before qualifying for OU funding, so was waiting today for a reply. Then I've read your messages! And thank you also for clarifying that the OU loans aren't repayable. That is great news, and will make repaying the previous SL so much easier in the future.

Your posts have really really helped me out, as, after being advised to apply for the course yesterday, I was worried about maybe having to withdraw. (My previous SL has been deferred every time, as I've never yet been in a position to start making payments.)

It looks like I'll be studying come November then! Plus the OU referred to DSA also. Feel so lucky about this. Have studied and motivated myself for ages, so it will be great to be part of the OU and have better options in the future.

Glad you got the remainder deferred and that you're enjoying OU so much. Thanks so much again.

Happy studying, Cat :beer:

equine_induced_poverty

hurrah! And welcome to the world of OU. I am thrilled you are going to do it, its given me a real purpose in life, (something that is hard to find when you are sick and disabled). The tutors are all helpful and sympathetic, and you can get deadlines extended and stuff like that if your illness knocks you sideways for a bit.
Good luck and ((((big hugs)))).

dinkie_2

equine_induced_poverty wrote:

hurrah! And welcome to the world of OU. I am thrilled you are going to do it, its given me a real purpose in life, (something that is hard to find when you are sick and disabled). The tutors are all helpful and sympathetic, and you can get deadlines extended and stuff like that if your illness knocks you sideways for a bit.
Good luck and ((((big hugs)))).

Many thanks equine! ((((big hugs)))) to you too :-) It's still sinking in that it's really happening :-) Remembered when woke up this morning, and it was big smile time! And I feel exactly the same as you've said .... it's wonderful to have that sense of purpose, for everything to 'light up'. Really glad it's had that effect on you! Really great to know they extend deadlines ... what a great help. I noticed that they can also arrange for you to do an exam at home if you're not able to get to the exam centre too! It's great to have that kind of understanding, plus it means no need to stress about that kind of thing and more energy can go into study. It ticks all the boxes, and am so appreciative to you for explaining things to me. Many thanks, Cat

equine_induced_poverty

Hi all,
heres my latest piece of good news!
I had the assessor from the Disabled Students Association round today to do an assessment of my needs. I thought I might get some financial help to get to and from tutorials. WELL HOW STUNNED WAS I?
I have been assessed as needing;
A non-medical helper to take me to tutorials and take notes etc,
A recording machine and software to transcribe it to the PC,
Other software to reduce the amount of typing,
Exams at home with extra time,
A special chair,
and other stuff!
I was amazed what they can get for you to help you. THESE PEOPLE ARE THE BEST!
It proves to me that the OU was the best move I have ever made. Even the social services, NHS, and everybody else combined haven't given me half the support I have recieved from the OU.
So make sure you send in the forms to the DSA, and also try the Access To Learning fund for any other expenses you are struggling with.
Take care,
x

dinkie_2

Congratulations equine, that's wonderful for you and am sure it'll be a massive help with studies! :j :beer:

Happy studying, Cat :beer:

bubble96

equine_induced_poverty wrote:

ok, the conditions include being a uk citizen and not having arrears on a Student Loan from the Student Loans Co. I get my courses paid for, got a £250 grant for PC, a £250 grant for study expenditure, a Disabled student allowance to travel to tutorials. This is my first OU course and it is brilliant. The courses lead you in nice and gently and the standard of instruction is brilliant. I LOVE IT! It is very supportive of sick and disabled people and will bend over backwards to help you. The other students are as supportive as the folks on MSE too. Please go for it, it is the best thing I have ever done.

hi, was just wandering how you got the £250 grant for pc? have been looking in to open university and have seen about all the other funding available, but if i start i wont have a pc as the laptop i have has to be returned to the university i am currently at and transferring from. it would be really helpful to know how you got this. thanks

Katgoddess

If you are a member of the union USDAW they give you a small grant for every course you pass.

See here.