What am I entitled to?

ThinkingOfLinking

I know what I'd be entitled to for a university degree. I am doing one or two (depending on how tomorrow's meeting goes, if they've sorted out timetable clashes) A Levels, starting immediately.

I'm 24, single, no dependents, but dyslexic (I know I'll be entitled to help when at uni but would I get anything now?)

What can I claim, other than I know I can get my course fees themselves waived as I'm on jobseekers' at the moment.

Are there any grants available? I hope it'll be under 16 hours so I can stay on JSA as I am still seeking work.

bestpud

Have you checked out the adult learners grant? It's for full time courses so may be useful if your course is over hours for JSA.

As for your dyslexia, you'd need to contact the college direct for help with that, as far as I am aware.

I think (although I may well be wrong) any help is more likely to be in the form of study aids than a grant.

I can't see why there would be a grant just because you have dyslexia...

Lokolo

bestpud wrote: »

Have you checked out the adult learners grant? It's for full time courses so may be useful if your course is over hours for JSA.

As for your dyslexia, you'd need to contact the college direct for help with that, as far as I am aware.

I think (although I may well be wrong) any help is more likely to be in the form of study aids than a grant.

I can't see why there would be a grant just because you have dyslexia...

At unis you get free laptops and printers and stuff.....

bestpud

Lokolo wrote: »

At unis you get free laptops and printers and stuff.....

Yeah I know. That is what I meant by study aids!

The OP is at college and seems to be asking about financial assistance....?

I cannot see how having dyslexia would mean they get more money at college iyswim?

Humphrey10

bestpud wrote: »

I can't see why there would be a grant just because you have dyslexia...

To pay someone to take notes for you or a dictaphone as you won't be able to write fast enough or neatly enough to take notes yourself. To pay for extra essay writing tuiton. To pay for appointments with the dyslexia/duspraxia support staff. To pay for a computer as you cannot handwrite things, and even typing takes longer. To pay for extra printing costs to print out lecture notes etc, things that other people could handwrite. To pay for assistive software, eg. voice recognition software, essay planning software, typing practice software. To pay for a keyboard/mouse that is more suitable, a tiny mouse and keyboard like some laptops come with is very hard to use. To pay for an electronic diary to help remind you of things like appointments.



Edit: sorry didn't see what you said about study aids! Fair enough then!

Oldernotwiser

If the course is part time, you won't get ALG; if it's full time you can't get JSA. There's no way I know that you be qualified to get both.

ThinkingOfLinking

Thanks for these answers; I knew about ALG but wasn't sure if I'd be entitled because I'm on JSA. I won't find out today for sure what my hours will be as I chose 2 subjects but the timetables clash so may have to cut one out anyway. My dyslexia is so severe that my handwriting is, on a good day, 6 words a minute whereas typed is better. I see everything back to front so it takes longer to get it the right way around in my head although my spelling and grammar are ok; typos tend to be through rushing, rather than not being able to spell. I could do with a tutor as I am not so good at academic writing; I have trouble with paragraphs etc, and used to have one at school. I got a full assessment (and written report) from an educational psychologist.

Oldernotwiser

Are you planning this with a particular purpose in mind or for general interest?

ThinkingOfLinking

Because I have been offered a place at uni next year as long as I get the relevant A Level and of course UCAS points, as I thought I explained in the OP, but I can't remember now.

Oldernotwiser

Flickering_Ember wrote: »

Because I have been offered a place at uni next year as long as I get the relevant A Level and of course UCAS points, as I thought I explained in the OP, but I can't remember now.

No you didn't.

Have you looked at Access courses as an alternative to A level? This would only take one year as opposed to two, you'd be studying with other adults and you would probably get more help.

ThinkingOfLinking

Well, the A Level only takes a year, so I'm doing those, especially as I've been asked to do them.

As for the access course, I applied for the natural sciences one but it was already full as clearing messed me around; I was told the 180 UCAS points I already have from previous A Levels would be enough to get me into uni through clearing because I'm a mature student and then they spent the last 3 weeks umming and ahing.