Student on a Leave of Absence and Benefits

Javabeans

Hi,

I was a university student in my second year, I have had to take a Leave of Absence for personal reasons. I intend to go back to studying at the start of the next academic year Sept 2010.

I have had to pay back the student loan/grant which I would have had for May-September. However I still have rent etc to pay and as yet am finding it difficult to get a job. I was wondering if I might be eligible for any benefits atall seeing as technically i'm not a 'full time student' as i'm not getting any money from student finance?

Obviously i'll keep job hunting - but just incase i'm unlucky I thought best to at least find out the possibility.

Thank you for any help.

Stefanie

Oldernotwiser

The definition of being a student isn't linked to receiving student finance - are you still registered?

dookar

Unless you have abandoned the course then, technically, you are still a full time student

Javabeans

Thanks for your replies. I don't know if I am still registered - I can't use any of the universities facilities etc but i'll have to go and directly find out that one thaks.

I think I might write to my MP (depending on who it is after tomorrow!) and just raise awareness of this sort of situation. In my case it's just the summer and therefore not too bad, but for some people they have to take a full year off to look after family members or other things and suddenly lose their income. Seems a bit odd that you are allowed to get a job but not anything else if that is indeed the case.

Thanks again

AnxiousMum

On a leave from the university you would lose all rights to the facilities, as you are not paying the tuition fees (and why your student finance was withdrawn). But unless you have withdrawn from the course and 'quit' school, you would likely still be registered as a student, meaning you can return in September without reapplying as a new student. If you've been told you need to reapply - and wait for acceptance into the course (along with all the other students applying this year for the first time) then you would likely have withdrawn.

If it's just the summer that you are off, then it's really not that different to if you were at school and returning in September.......is it? You still would be classed as a student in the summer break - as you would be returning in September.