Part-time/disabled student funding

ls19

Hi...

I am 24 and have been studying for the past two years as a full time student on an undergraduate course, however, due to my health I am changing to part-time study for my final year, meaning it will take 2 years to complete.

I believe I will be eligible for the part-time student tuition fee grant and the small course grant, but as part-time students are not eligible for a maintenance loan or the university bursary, I will still have a large funding gap to fill. I am registered with the University Disability Centre and am applying for DSA, however there is no guarantee that I will receive enough to cover my accommodation or living costs. I really don't want to apply for an overdraft as I am currently unable to work to pay it off and am wary of accruing even more debt. The local council told me I will probably be eligible for housing benefit to help cover council tax, and the online benefit adviser seems to indicate I may also be able to receive income support...

I was wondering if anyone knows of any other possible sources of income I could apply for, or if anyone has had experience of a similar situation and could tell me if I am likely to be successful in a benefits application?

Many thanks

Indie_Kid

You can only claim income support if you're a lone parent or carer.

You may also be entitled to help from the access to learning fund.

ls19

Thanks. My university specifies that the Access Fund is only allocated to students who have taken out the maximum overdraft offered by their bank, which I don't want to have to do unless there really is no other option

dmg24

DSA will not pay towards housing or living costs.

You may be eligible for ESA. Are you fit for any work?

ls19

The reason for going part-time (which was set as a condition of progression by the Dean) is that I am unable to cope with the full time course due to my disability, so I am not supposed to work either as that would have a detrimental impact on my health and therefore studies.

dmg24

ls19 wrote: »

The reason for going part-time (which was set as a condition of progression by the Dean) is that I am unable to cope with the full time course due to my disability, so I am not supposed to work either as that would have a detrimental impact on my health and therefore studies.

In order to claim ESA you must be medically unfit for work. The fact that you are not fit enough to work and study at the same time would not be taken into account.

Indie_Kid

dmg24 wrote: »

DSA will not pay towards housing or living costs.

But it may pay the difference between a standard and en-suite room.

dmg24

sh1305 wrote: »

But it may pay the difference between a standard and en-suite room.

True, but that is going to be pretty minimal, and the OP is unlikely to qualify for student housing as a PT student.

MrsManda

sh1305 wrote: »

But it may pay the difference between a standard and en-suite room.

from the OP's description I think this is the least of her problems.

To the OP
You may be able to claim ESA or JSA, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit but you need to speak to a benefits advisor. Are you eligible/applied for Disability Living Allowance?
Have you looked at the information on Finance for PT students and Financial Help for Disabled Students on direct.gov.uk?

Taiko

There's actually a bit hidden away in the regs/guidance about you being eligible for the full time support. Will hunt it out Monday.