help for mature students

dannyjebb

Hi all. My partner has always wanted to go to univrsity to do an animal related course but never got round to it (she is only 22) but since leaving college at 18 with a DD in animal behaviour BTEC course she has applied then decided it was the wrong course, then she got a job at the local hospital as a healthcare assisstant and has worked there since, debating between nursing/social care career or working with animals. I think she has now decided an animal career is what she wants but we now live togther (rented) and so have bills that need paying. I earn a modest amount (1300/month after tax) and she only works part time (700/month after tax) but we would really struggle if she left her job and the way the NHS is they wont allow people to cut down hours to say just working weekends. Is there any kind of grants/repayable loans for mature students who have rent to pay etc and are course fees still paid through the form of a loan? I have looked online at government sites but only seem to mention couples who are both students or if you have kids?

thanks for any advice

NEH

Student loans are still available to mature students depending on circumstances....

Mine was decided on my circumstances so they will have to take things like your income into account i believe, it may have changed in the 3 years since i applied however


Your partner would be wise when she decides on a course and gets offered a place to go and talk to a finance advisor at the uni or if there is a careers service in your town go and speak to them now....

I presume you have read this part of the government site...

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Parentsandpartners/index.htm

Queenieviolet

If your partner chose nursing or social work she would be much better off as she could apply for a bursary - I think the social work bursary is non-means tested whereas I think soon all the nursing ones will be means tested. You can check what bursary you might be entitled to via NHS website.

MrsManda

At 22yrs old she won't automatically be classed as an independent student therefore any income assesed loans/grants will be assessed on her parents income not yours unless one of the following conditions apply:

• She has supported herself for 3 years or more,
• Has a child or care of a child
• Is or has been married or in a civil partnership before the first day of the academic year she is apply for support for
• Has no living parents
• Is permanently estranged from her parents

Information on whose income is assessed for student finance and what is available to students studying a Higher Education course can be found on the direct.gov website HERE

Wakey2008

You're not classed as self dependant by the Student loans company until you are 25 and universities do not class you as a mature student unless you are 23 or over.

Anyhow, at 22 she will be assessed the same way any student would be.

charlishae

As the others have said, at 22 its unlikely she'll be assessed as self dependent unless shes worked for 3 years or more so the amount of finance she receives will depend on her parents income.

JAYk_2

When is a student 'mature' according to Uni's / UCAS and the like?

Oldernotwiser

JAYk wrote: »

When is a student 'mature' according to Uni's / UCAS and the like?

Do you mean mature or do you mean independent? The two things are completely different.

MrsManda

AS ONW said, independant and mature are different things. Most universities seem to class students as 'mature students' if they are 21 or over at the start of their degree.
But the age which the SLC class you as independent is 25 at the start of the degree though you can be also classed as independent under 25 if certain conditions apply.

dannyjebb

thanks for all the replies. Does anyone know what how the financial support is diffrent if you attend the open university? Is there any help towards paying the fees and cost of living expenses?

Danny

MrsManda

dannyjebb wrote: »

thanks for all the replies. Does anyone know what how the financial support is diffrent if you attend the open university? Is there any help towards paying the fees and cost of living expenses?

Danny

There are some grants available. Use this eligibility checker on the OU website to see what you may be entitled to.