Education for mature students - Part Time

simonuk82

Hi Everyone,

Apologies if this has been covered, I done a forum check and couldn’t find anything.

I would like the opportunity to study a part – time Diploma or Foundation Degree at Universality or College however… I’m in full time employment and don’t have much disposable income to fun my education, I’m 28 so would classed as a mature student. My annual income is currently £17,500.

Is anyone aware of any financial support that I could have access too from the government or educational institutions?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Kind Regards,

Simon.

vroombroom

Hi Simon,

I think it depends what course you are looking at doing and your cisrcumstances.

For example, I'm starting a 2 year Foundation degree in September at my local college - I had to apply through UCAS and have just sent off my assessment of finances application form to the Student Loans company. I live with my partner who is classed as supporting me and when I start we will have a 5-month-old, so I will get a little bit of help with childcare, I'll get the tuition fees which go striaght to the college and I think I get a maintenance loan as well.

My course is over 3 days (between 10am and 3pm) so I'll be working odd shifts as well.

Have a look at this link:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm

simonuk82

Thanks Vroombroom,

There is a lot of information to digest on that site so I better get started, hopefully there will be something suitable for my circumstances.

soupdragon10

Have you investigated Open University courses? They can offer financial help so it might be worth having a look at their website.

Oldernotwiser

vroombroom wrote: »

Hi Simon,

I think it depends what course you are looking at doing and your cisrcumstances.

For example, I'm starting a 2 year Foundation degree in September at my local college - I had to apply through UCAS and have just sent off my assessment of finances application form to the Student Loans company. I live with my partner who is classed as supporting me and when I start we will have a 5-month-old, so I will get a little bit of help with childcare, I'll get the tuition fees which go striaght to the college and I think I get a maintenance loan as well.

My course is over 3 days (between 10am and 3pm) so I'll be working odd shifts as well.

Have a look at this link:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm

The course you're on is full time, so the funding is completely different.

OP, at the moment there are fee grants for any part time study at this level, based on household rather than individual income, as well as a small grant towards study expenses. This is the same funding wherever you study, by distance learning or part time attendance.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Applyingforthefirsttime/DG_171530

vroombroom

sorry, baby brain;)

stiltwalker

Another for the OU - go onto their website and check what you could be entiled to, there is currently funding available dependant on your income a it is tapered so even if you do not qualify for the whole fee paid you may get part of it and u can pay the balance by installments. I think it is also dependant on what you are aiming to do with the course ie whether it is for fun or career enhancement. I got full funding this year for my first module of a degree plus a small grant (non repayable) towards books etc plus a small grant (again non repayable) towards the cost of a new computer. Just sent of the funding application for next year. There are all sorts of courses available from single modules which will give you a specific vocational qualifiation right through to doing enough modules to make up an entire degree or even masters (although costs go up a bit here).

Oldernotwiser

Just wanted to clarify that funding for OU courses is pretty much the same as any other part time degree level study, whether by distance learning or attendance.

saintjammyswine

You could try your local college for a degree level course which would probably cost about £1000 rather than £9000.