Funding for 2 courses in same year?

vtmil

Hi, just wondered if any knows the answer to this before I attempt communications with the useless student finance.

I've applied, and got funding for, a postgraduate teacher training course starting January. However the place is conditional and as my degree grade won't be confirmed until december (OU) I've decided to start another OU course so I can continue my studies with them should I not meet the PGCE conditions. OU course starts October and I've been given funding for that course too.

Does anyone know if this will cause problems - 2 different courses (with differrent unis) in same year?

Thanks

vtmil

Lokolo

Erm I have no idea how you've managed to create 2 accounts to be honest.

You should only apply once, and if things change, you then inform them.

You shouldn't be applying twice.

vtmil

Hi thanks for your reply but I haven't applied for the same funding twice;

1. PGCE funding, start January if get required degree grade.

2. OU course funding, start October.

Obviously if i don't meet PGCE conditions I won't draw down the loans etc so don't really want to shoot myself in the foot by rejecting the OU funding.

I confusing myself, just wonderd if anybody had been in a similar position

Thanks

vtmil

Taiko

You can only be funded for one course within an academic year, under The Student Support Regulations.

Oldernotwiser

Are you saying that you'll carry on with the OU course if you start the PGCE? If this is what you mean then I'd think the funding issue would be the least of your problems - PGCEs are very intensive!

vtmil

Hi, thanks for replying. Oldernotwiser it's a flexible course and my first term is fairly 'easy' because the modules I can do are limited so I hope to carry on if this is allowed!

The main problem for me is that I don't think I'm going to meet my degree grade conditions. Therefore, I want to continue my OU studies to 'protect' myself. With the OU you have the option of applying for your degree with your chosen 360 points. Therefore I could disregard a course I have already done and just carry on with my studies.

However if I have got the required degree grade then I'm going to start the PGCE in January. But I don't know if there's going to be a funding issue. I applied for funding months ago, I only applied for the OU 2 weeks back .

I've spoken to the OU and they say it's fine as they come from different funds. I'm still not sure. I've tried to phone student finance but didn't get through after 30 mins. Plan to try again as soon as they open tomorrow.

So there we go! I'm very anxious/stressed about the whole issue. The OU funding is c.£600, the PGCE funding is more like £8000. I simply can't jepodise the PGCE funding as I'd have nothing to live on. But on the other hand If I don't make the PGCE then I might as well have the OU funding.

Thanks for listening.

vtmil