Earn upto £3,500 for 30 minutes work!!! 'Access to Learning Fund'

charleypink

elisebutt65 wrote: »

I was talking to the ALF adviser for my next Uni and apparently if you have children, then your incomings can be up to 15,000 and then they have set amounts for the other expenses. If you are spending excessively, then they may call you in to justify these amounts. You usually have to circle all expenditure on your bank statements over £100 and put a note explaining this.

I have been applying to charities for next year as there is no funding whatsoever for a taught Masters and the ALF only applies in dire explainable emergencies. She still advised me to put in a claim as soon as I started in September just so they have the paperwork to hand and they can just put it on hold. However, X-fingers, next year I should be ok as I have sat down and worked out a budget, to get me through the year. I have a lecturing job ready and waiting as soon as I have got my Masters so then I can start to pay off my £30+ G's of student debt hahahahahahahmanic laughter hahahahahaha!!:rotfl::rotfl:

so if my incomings are less than 15k then i may get some assistance, (did i read you right).

dmg24

charleypink wrote: »

so if my incomings are less than 15k then i may get some assistance, (did i read you right).

Depending on your outgoings, yes.

It really depends on individual circumstances. A single person with (justifiably) high outgoings could have an income that high and still get help also x

charleypink

dmg24 wrote: »

Depending on your outgoings, yes.

It really depends on individual circumstances. A single person with (justifiably) high outgoings could have an income that high and still get help also x

Thankyou for your help,
kind regards
charley:p

Gemmzie

dmg24 wrote: »

You can apply at any time of the year, although they may choose to defer payment until later in the year. If you have excessive costs in one area, such as travel, you can put a note to this effect on your application x

Thanks, I need it Jan - May next year. Do they take into account disability because that's the main reason I need it. If I do the placement (which I'm not even sure I can but that's another issue), I definitely can't work alongside it.

elisebutt65

Gemmzie wrote: »

Thanks, I need it Jan - May next year. Do they take into account disability because that's the main reason I need it. If I do the placement (which I'm not even sure I can but that's another issue), I definitely can't work alongside it.

If you have a recognised and diagnosed disability you should also apply for the Disabled Students Allowance. Then the uni will also do an assessment of your needs to see what extra stuff you may need, such as someone to take notes, or a recorder, or extra time in exams, etc. More info on it here.
I think it's about £1600 they give you as an allowance as well as the money you may need for equipment - It's not a loan and it doesn't affect any benefits.

Gemmzie

elisebutt65 wrote: »

If you have a recognised and diagnosed disability you should also apply for the Disabled Students Allowance. Then the uni will also do an assessment of your needs to see what extra stuff you may need, such as someone to take notes, or a recorder, or extra time in exams, etc. More info on it here.
I think it's about £1600 they give you as an allowance as well as the money you may need for equipment - It's not a loan and it doesn't affect any benefits.

I have DSA, it's a load of equipment most of which I can't use. My useless LEA won't give any money as an allowance. They are a nightmare. I'm killing myself doing uni and working at the moment so I can get WTC, I can't do that next year too.

dmg24

Gemmzie wrote: »

I have DSA, it's a load of equipment most of which I can't use. My useless LEA won't give any money as an allowance. They are a nightmare. I'm killing myself doing uni and working at the moment so I can get WTC, I can't do that next year too.

Yes, disability will be taken into account. I got a non means tested award last year to cover travel expenses which I incurred as a result of my condition. The university finance officer said that it was easier for him and for me just to apply to the ALF and not apply for DSA.

grimupnorth_2

charleypink wrote: »

hi there,
i was just wondering if anyone had any advice on what i can include on my ALF application form?
I have a 21 month old and two teenagers, who are constantly growing, can i include clothing in the expences?

any tips on what can be included would be greatly appreciated.
thankyou
charley:o

I think the best way to approach on ALF application is to show what you have done to try and improve your situation. If you can show that you have explored all other available options then the assessment team will have less to pick you up on.

Things like clothes and food etc are not taken into account separtely but are included in a catch-all amount that the government sets. This is caleld the 'composite living cost' and your University will have no discretion on this. If you income is less than you allowable expenditure you will get a standard award. If there is something specific and unforeseen then if you explain this it could be looked at separatly of your income and expenditure and called a 'non standard' award.

roxalana

Gemmzie wrote: »

I have DSA, it's a load of equipment most of which I can't use. My useless LEA won't give any money as an allowance. They are a nightmare. I'm killing myself doing uni and working at the moment so I can get WTC, I can't do that next year too.

There is no provision for an 'allowance' from DSA. However, if you are on the funding system with the maintenance grant, you may qualify for special support grant instead of maintenace grant if you get a certain benefit(s) from jobcentreplus. In effect this increases the amount of maintenance loan a person is entitled to - but it depends on what JCp benefits you get (if any).

studentmidwife

My application for ALF has been unsuccessful . I applied 4 weeks ago because our mortgage payments (with Northern Rock) have gone up by over £350 a month and we are now struggling financially. I spoke to an advisor today and was told that they only include £6500 of your mortgage! Ours is costing over £10000 per year now but they won't take it all into account. I did'nt realise they capped mortgage amounts. Anyone else had experience of this? Not sure if its just the uni I'm at or all uni's.

Gutted!

PS Been lurking for a long time but this is my first post so hello!!