Education Maintenance Allowance

black-saturn

Could someone please look at this website:

https://students.emasys1.dfes.gov.uk/preregistration/apply.aspx?ActiveServer=WebServer02

and tell me whether I would be entitled to apply for this? I am a 36 year old woman, lone parent, 2 young children on a HND correspondence course. I have to pay fees for it and I can provide proof. And if I do does it effect other benefits?

My 16 year old step daughter is claiming it and my boyfriend says I should claim for it too.

That website is about as clear as mud.

tmm_aka_tracy

HI Black Saturn,

You wouldn't be eligible for EMA as it is only for those 'continuing' in education between the age of 16-19.

Are you claiming the family element of your tax credits? You could be entitled to this whether you are in work or not, especially as your daughter is in receipt of EMA and is therefore still considered to be a dependent. I hope you are also continuing to claim child benefit for your daughter.

Tracy

black-saturn

Thanks for the reply.

The step daughter in question doesn't live with me so she's not a dependant of mine.

Will it effect my boyfriends WTC?

Thanks

the_devil_made_me_do_it

You could get the adult equivalent... adult learning grant I think it's called, was known as adult maintanence grant. Your best bet is to speak with a finance student adviser about it.

pipkin71

Hi Black saturn.

Before starting my degree with the OU I completed a HND in child psychology with ICS. I couldn't get any help with funding for this course, as correspondence HND's were / are not considered a recognisable, professional qualification. I've one assignment left of my six years with the OU and received funding each year, as OU qualifications are recognisable.

A good example is, I completed a child psychology dipoma and got a certificate - a very nice looking certificate at that. When I completed the OU diploma in Health and Social Welfare, I was allowed to use the designatory letters DipHSW after my name. Had I completed the child psychology diploma with the OU, I would be able to use the designatory letters DipChPsy, and that's the diference.

My friend completed her travel and tourism certificate with ICS and although it got her a foot in the door with her current job, the only credit her qualification got was that she was willing to complete a long distance course.

I know you are paying a lot of money for your HND - as I did for my HND with ICS Home Learning. Unfortunately, in my case, and it may be different now, the qualification does not hold as much weight as other formal qualifications, such as the OCN NVQ etc.

As you have several A levels, and I'm sure I read you have a degree [might be wrong], would you not consider the OU? You would also qualify for financial support, based on your low income.

Regards
Pipkin xxx

Gemmzie

You can't get EMA or the adult equivilant ALG (Adult Learning Grant) for an HND

ALG is only for very low incomes and first level 2 (GCSE) or level 3 (A Level) qualifications

pipkin71

i received financial assistance as well as a grant from the OU to complete my HND and degree, as I am on income support and have dependants, but I could not get assistance for the ICS course as it is not a recognised qualification.

Regards
Pipkin

black-saturn

Thanks. I'm hoping to do an OU course after this one. I decided to do this course as it was the only correspondence course I could find in that subject. I've got many courses I want to do, this is just the start (providing I get on with it OK).

vivaladiva

Martin mentioned something in one of the newsletters about grants for further education. I would like to do an OU degree but I think it was only for full time courses, or did I misunderstand?

vivaladiva

Dhttp://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1105717811,89291,

This is the bit I was thinking about.

Gemmzie

Bizzimum - that article relates to EMA (16-19 year olds where usually the parent earn under £30k per year) and ALG (up to £19k earning adults getting their first Level 2 (GCSE) or Level 3 (A Level) qualifications).

So it isn't for OU courses