Mature Student-Help with Course Fees?

quango77

Hi All,

I am a mum of four, partner currently job-seeking, and I work full time as a support worker with homeless people. My job isnt terribly well paid (£16000 p/a) and on top of that we,ve just lost tax creds for my eldest as his FE course at college isnt deemed as an applicable course. I really need to look at moving onwards and upwards and have spotted a course I would really like to do and is relevant to the type of work I wont to be in. Its a distance learning course through the Leeds Addiction Unit,BSc in Addiction Studies. I have previously studied through the OU but dont feel that the course is specific enough to give me a foothold in quite a competitive area of work.
Trouble is, they dont offer any kind of financial assistance and I cant spare £1,600 per year, up front....has anyone got any suggestions on grants or assistance I can apply for. We are currently in receipt of a small amount of Housing and Council Tax Benefit,
I really need to make some changes soon as I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my feet, so spending 7 hours a day on outreach in all weathers aint helping!
Cheers!

[Deleted User]

I'm afraid that there's very little, if any, funding for part-time courses that are distance learning. Your best bet would be to ask your employer if they would be willing to assist with the cost given the relevance to what you are currently doing (some employers will provide funding often with clauses tied in saying that you need to work for them for x amount of time afterwards, or reimburse them for the fees).

The other thing you need to take time to think about is whether the course is just for your own personal development, or to expand career opportunities - will the course give you the qualification needed to progress in your current role or other similar field, or is it accreditation anywhere? Often the better paid roles for those working in the field addiction are medical, nursing, councelling and psychology.

Good luck with whatever you decide

quango77

Theres no chance of being funded through by my employer..we are a small charity, relying totally on public donation. The course is I would like to do would definitely expand career options, I have thought about going down the nursing/medical route but my interest is less to do with clinical treatment of addictions and more engaged with the sociological siding (with leanings towards criminal justice and community work). I've always worked in this field and held a case load of drug/alcohol clients so the practical experience is there, but increasingly you need the certification to back it up....I'll keep searching!!