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

bliss

hi! I didnt apply, because i went in to the student finance people and asked for the hardship fund/access to learning funds form and they asked what year i was in, i said first year and they said i couldnt have it, because all the help that is available to me is thru my LEA. i did question it, i said isnt it available to everyone, and that im severly overdrawn/strugglin to afford things, they said the only thing i cud have would b an emergency loan, and that was that basically. So no hardship fund for me!

Lady_K

You need to take it further then, did you speak to the same person the second time around? Go back and ask for whoever is in charge of the dept abnd if you still get the same answers see the principle coz they are not abiding by the rules. Plus time is running out and once the money is gone thats it so I'd sort it out asap

bliss

Thanx! Im at home at the moment so cant get back to uni until my next exam, which is next wednesday. I'll jus have to hope theres something left then and that i actually am allowed to fill the form in! Thankyou for your replies!

Lady_K

My daughters a Student Nurse and claimed this a few weeks ago but today she has found out that the nursing placement she was due to start on Monday 8th May has now been changed to start in the middle of June and will be for 10 weeks they are struggling to find placements and sadly this has messed up her whole summer now.

She has paid for her present uni halls until 8th July. This placement is 40 minutes drive from the university area but if she came home it would be much further to travel and on early starts and late finishes it would be very difficult in deed to travel from home. She is saying that she is going to ask the landlord of the house she has planned to move into for next year if she can move in there instead of coming back home over summer because the placement will take up all of the summer.
This will bump up her expenses a lot what with extra accom costs and petrol.

This was classed as a non standard award probably because she's an NHS student on bursary rather than loans but can she try to apply for extra now because of the extra halls costs plus travel? and should she re-apply for the access to learning fund plus try to get the summer fund aswell or just one? They do not get paid for the placements... It is such a shame as it will be like she has had no break at all plus the worry of extra costs because this placement will take her right up to the start of the new academic year

linzibean

success!

I recieved a letter this morning saying I will be recieving £1250 from the Access to Learning Fund, split over 2 payments of £625 in May and June. Thank heavens, as I'm having a hell of a time finding a second job.....

missk_ensington

Hi, I started a thread on another board because Im a full time student with a baby and my partner walked out on Wed leaving my with loads to pay, miles away from my home town and seriously struggling.

A kind user copied this link for me and I feel much better having read they are desperate to hand it out (I was reluctant to apply). I (stupidly) used Aprils installment of loan, HE grant, PLA grant and Childcare grant on a deposit for a house (the intention being my partner would then pay the childcare and pay the mortgage, so I woudn't miss the money and would have my part time earning and Tax cred etc as my own money for bills/car etc) But then he walked out, and I cant retrieve this money as Ive signed first part of contract, and cant abandon house purchase wither cos I'll lose just over £9,000.

I wrote to financial advisor who has given me an appointment on Monday for ALF but I felt he would think its my own fault, and why should they give me more money when Ive used what I had on buying a house (a luxury other students cant have). As I said on another thread, I never thought we'd split up, we were only talking about marriage at Xmas, but whats done is done and I cant change it.

Do you think I'll be entitled to anything (Im a single parent with a disability) but obviously they could think its my own fault?!?!

Lady_K

I guess they should treat it as unexpected circumstances and in those cases they usually give you more but I would imagine you'd need to have proof that your bf did actually live with you in the first place. People with children get more help anyway and you also say you have a disability so they should help you a bit more. No point worrying too much, at least you got an appointment quickly and then you will have a clearer idea of everything. If you've just got a mortgage I'm not sure what they would do if it's in both you and your ex's name though.

It can't be your fault, things happen like that every day he left you and you had no idea that would happen. Its what your situation is now they should look at.

Sorry you found yourself in this situation and I hope things go ok for you tomorrow, please let us know. What course are you doing? It may make a difference as to what help you will get

elisebutt65

Well - I got turned down on Friday!!!! I have 2000 too much with CTC and maintenance all added in with my loan and childcare grant!!

Lady was very nice and we sat there talking for a while trying to think of exceptional circumstances - apart from my gallbladder op dues anytime - couldn't think of anything - She added in new uniforms etc for my lad and upped the outgoings as much as possible but still no joy!!

Ah well- I'll try again in September after I've been on IS for a few months as she suggested.

missk_ensington

How long does it normally take for a decision? I have £1300 a month coming in, but as much going out before Ive factored in food, clothes, non-urgent expenses like little boys haircuts and stuff. Do they take your loan into account? i take the maximum loan, I think its about £4,000 a year and I get I think about £4,000 a year in HE grant, PLA and childcare grant. Still, if you have high outgoings that you cant avoid what are you supposed to do?

As for income support, I was told in full time HE you cant get Income Support, not sure why but apparently those are the rules! That info might be wrong, but Ive heard it from several different sources so just be careful it isn't an oversight on their behalf or you might have to pay it back! x

aav

Finally I get a letter today saying that I would be getting a cheque for £1200 which is fantastic. I would be able to pay my credit cards and have a bit of change to play with which is great. It took a bitb of time but as they say "good things come to those who waite" big relif. I would be able to pick up the phone when my credit card company call and say can I pay all my debt please. Good luck to anyone else who is applying