Part-time Students?

Jossicles

Hi everyone,

I have been a part time student for the last 5 years and have recently taken a year's leave of absence to have a baby. I am now in a position to return to uni full time to finish my degree.

However, I only have 5 modules to complete in order to finish my degree (including my final year project). Would I therefore be classed as part time? Which leads me on to my next question...

Are part time students entitled to any financial help with childcare costs, fees, etc. I am hoping not to have to work as I have a 9-month old baby. My husband's gross salary is £21,000.

Thanks in advance everyone.

MrsManda

I think whether you are classed as a FT or PT student is largely dependent on how your university classes you.
You can find finance information for PT students on at Direct.gov.uk
You may be able to claim various benefits plus a childcare grant but I'm not sure how that works. You'll be able to find information about here:

Did you receive any funding for your previous study?

Jossicles

Thank you for your reply. I did not receive funding for my previous years no, but I was working and didn't have a baby so thought it might be different this year?

I will have another look at those links thanks but I just find them so hard to follow. All the info seems too vague!

MrsManda

You said you were in the position to study full time so you need to check with your university whether they are going to class you as a PT or a FT student and define how intensive your course will be. T
If it's FT you will get student loans/grants plus be eligible for childcare grants etc...
If it's PT you may get tuition fee/course grants but how much depends on the intensity of the course.
As a PT student you are also eligible for income based benefits such as income support/council tax benefit... See HERE

student_advisor

Based on your partner's income, I would be surprised if you got any childcare funding at all. It is a very very tight household income assessment for both full & part-time study. If you are classed as part-time, you would have to apply to your university's Access to Learning Fund.

You need to check with your uni first to see whether you are classed as full or part time as it has a massive impact on what you can claim.

bestpud

I have four modules left and will be part time.

You need to work out how many modules per year a full time student studies on your course and be doing at least 50% of that to apply for funding.

The other stipulation is your studies must last for a year or more, so as long as you won't graduate before the end of the academic year, you will be eligible to apply.

For help with childcare, you will need to apply to the access fund, as stated.

You are on the border line for the full whack of financial support available, so you will certainly get some help towards your fees and a portion of the grant.

The maximum fee grant is around £800 and the support grant £260.

Jossicles

Thank you all for your answers. Much appreciated.