Benefits & Education

anymeans

Hello all.

I'm 25 and my fiance 22. We currently get WTC, CTC and bit of HB. We've had our second son at end of November, he will be our last child.

I myself work for a supermarket currently. I've planned to join either the Army infantry or RAF regiment this comming year but we've sat down and had a good talk about where we want our lives to head and the big question to her was "what do you want to do?" as we both hate this state reliance and my mediocre employment will never own us a car let alone a house or have holidays.

She has always talked about doing midwifery as a career in passing but after that conversation it turns out she really does desperately want to have a career and that would be it. Not just for the extra money, but also for her pride and if we we're to split later down the road, or the worst happen concidering my intended career, she could provide for herself and the boys. I am fully prepared to put on hold my career while she studies, as I have 8 years til I'm 33 as infantry recruitment cutoff it would be easier to get her done before my enlistment.

While I think this is the best route to go, I don't know if we can afford it. The access course alone is some £800 before the degree. Does anybody know if theres any help available with costs whilst on our current benefits? We would like to avoid putting the boys into care and I can have my shifts altered to cater for this by my employer, so it's more the cost of the education opposed to childcare. Also if anyone has any suggestions how to better juggle this I'm all ears.

Many thanks in advance

Oldernotwiser

anymeans wrote: »

While I think this is the best route to go, I don't know if we can afford it. The access course alone is some £800 before the degree. Does anybody know if theres any help available with costs whilst on our current benefits? We would like to avoid putting the boys into care and I can have my shifts altered to cater for this by my employer, so it's more the cost of the education opposed to childcare. Also if anyone has any suggestions how to better juggle this I'm all ears.

D

If she doesn't already have a level 3 qualification (A level equivalent) then her fees should be waived under something called the "level 3 entitlement" and she could get £30 pw ALG is she does the course full time.She should ask the college which offers the Access course for further information.

mitch161

just browsing here...

ALG?? any age limit on this, any course type limit, gender limits? sorry but i am currently on benefits and was looking to expand some skills to achieve more higher ranking job prospects as my skills and qualifications are lacking.

im male 27. i have nvq 2 in some subjects but looking to broaden my horizons, not midwifery though. lol

Indie_Kid

mitch161 wrote: »

just browsing here...

ALG?? any age limit on this, any course type limit, gender limits? sorry but i am currently on benefits and was looking to expand some skills to achieve more higher ranking job prospects as my skills and qualifications are lacking.

im male 27. i have nvq 2 in some subjects but looking to broaden my horizons, not midwifery though. lol

ALG is for people doing their first level 2 or 3, which is at least 12 hours a week and you can't receive out of work benefits, such as income support or JSA.

welshmoneylover

mitch161 wrote: »

just browsing here...

ALG?? any age limit on this, any course type limit, gender limits? sorry but i am currently on benefits and was looking to expand some skills to achieve more higher ranking job prospects as my skills and qualifications are lacking.

im male 27. i have nvq 2 in some subjects but looking to broaden my horizons, not midwifery though. lol

The Open University?

They also fund some if not most courses depending upon income. The degrees are highly regarded too :T

Check out their website, you never know it might open doors you never knew existed. Good luck

mitch161

welshmoneylover wrote: »

The Open University?
you never know it might open doors you never knew existed. Good luck

lol nicely worded, let me guess your in advertising lol

i just checked out Adult Learning Grant. im not on JSA im on a hardship allowance (middle of getting it accepted actually) due to a sanction on JSA for how i became unemployed.

but i still have to follow the JSA rules, so ALG seems unlikely. next stop Open university, as long as that does not counteract JSA limiting peoples oppertunities of no full time education.

just wish JSA would not stop people from seeking to higher their asperations and employment prospects like that, i mean come on. a evening class each day/week wont stop me attending interviews or applying for jobs during normal office hours after all..

love the system!

dmg24

mitch161 wrote: »

lol nicely worded, let me guess your in advertising lol

i just checked out Adult Learning Grant. im not on JSA im on a hardship allowance (middle of getting it accepted actually) due to a sanction on JSA for how i became unemployed.

but i still have to follow the JSA rules, so ALG seems unlikely. next stop Open university, as long as that does not counteract JSA limiting peoples oppertunities of no full time education.

just wish JSA would not stop people from seeking to higher their asperations and employment prospects like that, i mean come on. a evening class each day/week wont stop me attending interviews or applying for jobs during normal office hours after all..

love the system!

The Hardship Allowance is part of JSA. You can study towards OU qualifications whilst on JSA as long as you are not limiting your availability for work i.e. you cannot stipulate the hours you are going to study, as there is no need for you to do so.