Education whilst on benefits

therevelator

Hi, I'm currently on benefits and was thinking of doing an Open University course.

Obviously I have very little money to pay for it and so was wondering what grants there might be for someone in my situation. I read on the directgov site about the Adult Learning Grant. If I received this, it could probably cover the cost of the course over the year but it's only paid weekly and the course has to be paid for upfront I think.

Are there any other grants available?

stephyt23

Have you looked on here? There's an eligibility checker.

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

The ALG isn't for doing degree based courses. It's for College courses so you wouldn't be entitled to that as you have to get forms signed each week to prove you attend your classes and have to be doing over 12 hours a week.

I also think you'll find you can't claim benefits and a grant for courses, you certainly couldn't with ALG

saintjammyswine

Some JCP advisors have access to Advisor Discretionary Fund. This can be used for training in some circumstances but is not a large amount and will have probably been used up. Ask your advisor for more information.

Jowo_2

therevelator wrote: »

Are there any other grants available?

Go to the Student money saving forum and web pages as they have links to websites where you can search for grants. There are lots of grants available, and I've certainly come across trusts which will consider OU fees, too. You basically have to find the websites that list them and do a thorough search.

persa

My local college offers fee waivers for people on certain benefits. I'm not eligible as I'm on contributions based JSA, but someone on income based JSA would be.

Have you googled your local college and looked up their financial support section?

heretolearn_2

OU has its own grants system, look on their website. You should get a full grant for the course plus a small grant to assist with other costs, although it's based on household income not just personal so if you live with someone earning a lot, that'll scupper things.

Nice thing with OU is that these are actually grants, not loans, you don't have to repay them.

honey10

DO IT!! its the best thing i ever did!

the OU are great for the grants and financial assistance, they have their own financial eligibility checker on the website, and its pretty good too. i'm currently studying Law with them, and my whole course cost is covered (£2500 per year for 6 years) and i get a course grant of around £250 a year, and it doesnt affect any benefits you claim either. Although, as someone already mentioned, you dont get the ALG.

feel free to PM me if you want any other info, i know that it isnt always crystal clear.

twinkle1981_2

I am studying with the OU and if you are on benefits, the course fees will be paid for you with no effect to your benefit. Also if you take a grant from them for course materials etc, this has no effect no your benefit either (as far as I know, I have never taken the materials grant)

Kate78

persa wrote: »

My local college offers fee waivers for people on certain benefits.

Not for much longer...