Some Open University Questions...............

OUStudent

Hello everyone

OK firstly I am an active member of these forums under another username, for the sake of anonymity as well as a few other reason I though it better to have my new found student profile under a separate username

Right where to begin...................

My circumstances I suppose might be a logical start, OK here we go:

Age 32
Claiming Incapacity Benefit due to various health issues all mainly caused by being very overweight, I am losing weight and the more weight I lose the better I feel Hoping at some stage over the next 2 years to be well enough to get back to work.
I have a partner and 3 children under 10, my partner is self employed however her business has made a loss for the last 2 years and things are not improving, we claim working tax credit and child tax credit.
Because of low income we also claim housing benefit and council tax benefit and child benefit.

Altogether apart from council tax benefit as I cannot lay my hands on the last bill so no idea how much it was, we receive a total of £25,502.72 per year. Then with around £800ish added on for council tax benefit.

I am looking at enrolling in a degree with the Open University, in computing probably not 100% sure yet which "area" to jump into, i the first year I am looking at doing 2 30 point modules as from the suggested funding this would be fully paid for (I think), Oh I live in Cardiff in Wales I understand the funding works a bit differently here than to England?

My first concern is can I undertake a course whilst claiming incapacity benefit? If so off the income figures I have provided what funding am I likely to receive?

Do I apply for funding from the open university or from the government or both? I understand from the OU that 2 30 point modules would mean around 16 hours a week of study, is there anyway I can do more to become a full time student? I understand if I was a full time student I would qualify for government funding? I am just so unsure about it all and what I need to so, I need to get moving as the modules I am looking at start in February 2011 so not much time now.

I am in dire need of a new computer, I have read somewhere that in Wales I could receive a "course grant" of £1065 this would be more than enough to sort out a new computer plus any other materials needed, anyone have any information on this? I have emailed the OU but they cannot offer and advice until I actually apply for funding I could do with establishing what I am "likely" to get beforehand as without funding it would be a no go, for the time being anyhow

I have lots lots lots more question for the sake of not writing a very long and rambling post I will ask some more when this first lot of questions have been answered.

Of course thanks for your help guys in advance I do appreciate it

CIS

Do I apply for funding from the open university or from the government or both? I understand from the OU that 2 30 point modules would mean around 16 hours a week of study, is there anyway I can do more to become a full time student? I understand if I was a full time student I would qualify for government funding? I am just so unsure about it all and what I need to so, I need to get moving as the modules I am looking at start in February 2011 so not much time now.

Funding is applied for through the OU . You aren't a full time student with the OU even if you do the equivalent of a full time course (120points), you are still part time.

http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/explained/financial-support.shtml

juno

You can play with the eligibility checker which will tell you what you will be entitled to. Just playing with what you've said in your post, you should be eligible for the max award of £650 towards course fees and £1095 towards "study expenses" but you should still try yourself.

Depending on why you're claiming incapacity benefit you may be classed as disabled - if so, you can apply for Disabled Student Allowance and that can fund things to help with your study. This is based on study needs, so if you can't go to Asda they don't care, but if you have issues writing an essay you will get help. It really depends what your incapacity benefit is for, but they can also give help attending tutorials (which are optional but helpful) or with exam arrangements. You can also get a computer funded through DSA if they decide you need specialist software and your current computer won't cope.

OUStudent

Thanks for the replies guys much appreciated

Had a play with the eligibility checker very useful tool that has helped put my mind at rest so thanks for pointing that out It appears as you say Juno I would qualify for the max allowance which is perfect, I have had a look at the DSA part and TBH I will not apply for that, I have resisted in normal life applying for DLA as I am only young and my health issues have all been caused by being extremely overweight and having a very bad fall a couple of years ago As said with every pound I lose I fell a million times better and I dont think I have any issues with reading writing etc and am still able to drive so dont really think I would need that, the only thing I can think of that may cause an issue with study is sitting for long periods of time but if I do get the course grant I have seen an excellent high back full support office chair that I will invest in that will give my back and neck the support it needs to be able to sit and study for longer periods, I have weekly physio so hopefully at some stage next year after losing another chunk of weight my back should be starting to get better

Right next question I wonder how the course fee allowance and grant will affect the benefits I currently receive? I am presuming the course fee side will not be too much of an issue however the grant should be classed as income (I think?) any ideas?

Thanks again for taking the time to reply I do appreciate it

Top_Banana_2

You can do the course whilst on IB.

I've studied from home many times, and I must warn you that it takes a heck of a lot of motivation and commitment. It can be very, very tough. But, it is also highly rewarding.

OUStudent

You can do the course whilst on IB.

I've studied from home many times, and I must warn you that it takes a heck of a lot of motivation and commitment. It can be very, very tough. But, it is also highly rewarding.

Hello thanks for taking the time to reply I appreciate it

TBH I am looking forward to the challenge more than anything, I did some of the pre course test online over the last few days and found them challenging but also fun in a wierd way

I am still struggling to decide which modules to take first it looks like I am going to start with 2 x 30 point modules then one which is only 10 points and is an introductory to maths, if I feel a bit brave when filing the application in I may forget the intro to maths and go straight for using maths which is another 30 point course so a total of 90 points (possibly) in my first year which I am expecting to be challenging but again thats the part I am looking forward to

The first 2, 30 point courses are computer based towards a BSC Honors degree in computing, they are both level 1 I am not expecting these to be too much of an issue as I am a self taught computer geek anyhow lol so this should then free me up to concentrate a bit more on the more in depth maths module which TBH after doing a few test questions will be a challenge, I am slowly talking myself into the full 90 points for the first year it makes more sense, I was initially a bit concerned about the in depth maths module but I have faith I am sure it will be fine, I love problem solving so the idea of being stuck and having to go away and find the solution really appeals to me, sad I know

Anyhow thanks again for taking the time to reply