OU Discretionary fund help

kirsteeny123

I have just started the W221 course through OU. I have studied before but not with the OU. So far I am enjoing the course but was wondering if any of you out there had applied for a discretionary fund before.

I am thinking of applying for one but not really sure what to put down in the form. I know you can apply for funding for a PC and internet connection but I am wondering how much do you put down for each thing? (some people have said add a little on to each item as you don't usually get the full amount you ask for).
Also would i be able to put MS office down as something that I require to complete the course?

Any help much appreiciated!!

Zziggi

very, very very hard toget. And if you do get something it is absolutely minimal.

Zziggi

kirsteeny123 wrote: »

I am thinking of applying for one but not really sure what to put down in the form. I know you can apply for funding for a PC and internet connection but I am wondering how much do you put down for each thing? (some people have said add a little on to each item as you don't usually get the full amount you ask for).

Well what is it you actually need?

You can add a little on if you like, but the assessors will just take a bigger bit off. Of course that's if you even get anything.

kirsteeny123

Well desperately need a laptop/pc. Would be more than happy if i was to get funding for that!

OUStudent

Did you get a course grant when you started your course? I live in Wales so it is a bit different here but for England if you qualify for funding you get the fee grant then a course grant of £250 ish I think, at the same time you could also apply for a PC grant which again is about £250 ish, if you have had bot of these then there is probably little chance you will get anymore as far as they will be concerned you have already had funding for a PC.

If not then try giving the OU finance people a call and see what you can do if you have not had the PC grant already you may be able to apply for it now I do know though you have to purchase a brand new PC with it so you may have to put something towards yourself.

I am new to the OU and am unfamiliar with the discretionary fund so cannot help there

Hope you manage to get it sorted out

kirsteeny123

Should have probably said initially that i live in Scotland and the grants system is different again! (just to make it confusing!lol) To my knowledge there are no grants available and so you go down the discretionary fund road. I have already recieved the fee waiver and so was wondering if anyone else had applied and how they got on.

What course is it you are doing OUStudent?

OUStudent

kirsteeny123 wrote: »

Should have probably said initially that i live in Scotland and the grants system is different again! (just to make it confusing!lol) To my knowledge there are no grants available and so you go down the discretionary fund road. I have already recieved the fee waiver and so was wondering if anyone else had applied and how they got on.

What course is it you are doing OUStudent?

Ahhhhhh I see so it is different again

The only thing I can think of you doing them is speaking to the finance office and see what happens, the quicker you get the form in the quicker you will know I suppose, I hope you get it sorted soon

Anyway I am going to be studying starting 5th February:

MU123 Discovering Mathematics
T175 Networked Living
M150 Data, Cimputing and Information

All towards eventually a BSC degree in the IT area not sure which one yet

bestpud

Some students in Scotland are given a laptop but I'm not sure how they qualify for it.

As far as I am aware, Open Office is a suitable alternative to Office so they will not fund that.

Other than that, just request what you actually need.

I wouldn't leave it too long either as it's a very long process acording to a few posts on the OU forums.

europeanpol

OU PG Grant, Can i buy a £400+ PC?
Hi, I have been given a PC grant for £135 and plus my course grant of £265 it makes £400. My problem is I would like to buy a HP laptop which costs £429.99 and I do not mind paying for the remaining £29.99 from my pocket but Am I allowed to do that? or do I have to buy a computer that is exactly £400 or less? I have tried to call the OU but they are on holiday until the 4th January.
This is what it says in the OU pc grant information:
"The PC grant offers students a conditional grant of £135 to add to their course grant, giving them up to £400 towards the purchase of a compouter."
Please help me anyone as I need to purchase one asap to avoid paying a higher price after the increase of VAT next week

Indie_Kid

europeanpol wrote: »

OU PG Grant, Can i buy a £400+ PC?
Hi, I have been given a PC grant for £135 and plus my course grant of £265 it makes £400. My problem is I would like to buy a HP laptop which costs £429.99 and I do not mind paying for the remaining £29.99 from my pocket but Am I allowed to do that? or do I have to buy a computer that is exactly £400 or less? I have tried to call the OU but they are on holiday until the 4th January.
This is what it says in the OU pc grant information:
"The PC grant offers students a conditional grant of £135 to add to their course grant, giving them up to £400 towards the purchase of a compouter."
Please help me anyone as I need to purchase one asap to avoid paying a higher price after the increase of VAT next week

You can buy any computer you want. You'd have to pay the excess if it's over £400.

Oldernotwiser

europeanpol wrote: »

OU PG Grant, Can i buy a £400+ PC?
Hi, I have been given a PC grant for £135 and plus my course grant of £265 it makes £400. My problem is I would like to buy a HP laptop which costs £429.99 and I do not mind paying for the remaining £29.99 from my pocket but Am I allowed to do that? or do I have to buy a computer that is exactly £400 or less? I have tried to call the OU but they are on holiday until the 4th January.
This is what it says in the OU pc grant information:
"The PC grant offers students a conditional grant of £135 to add to their course grant, giving them up to £400 towards the purchase of a compouter."
Please help me anyone as I need to purchase one asap to avoid paying a higher price after the increase of VAT next week

Hi. I think that the crucial word in this is "towards". Good luck.