Benefits while in Full-Time study?

DaisyFlower

viktory wrote: »

I am always surprised by the number of people that post on here asking what benefits they'll get when studying but never consider the debt they will end up with. Considering so many graduates leave University completely unable to get the most basic job, it seems insane to consider running up that much debt. There are other, cheaper ways of getting a degree.I often wonder if it is because people are scared that with the new rules it is the easier option than getting a job. Lots of apparently free money for not a lot of effort at University (in some, not all cases).

I think you are right in many cases, its a way of getting around the new age limit for those claiming IS as a single parent or a way out of working.

Many simply dont care about the debt as they never intend to get a job that pays over the threashold for repaying the loan anyway.

Oldernotwiser

DaisyFlower wrote: »

I think you are right in many cases, its a way of getting around the new age limit for those claiming IS as a single parent or a way out of working.

Many simply dont care about the debt as they never intend to get a job that pays over the threashold for repaying the loan anyway.

Many people, even with decent professional jobs will be only repaying a tiny amount of the loan under the new system.

minniepoos_2

viktory wrote: »

I am always surprised by the number of people that post on here asking what benefits they'll get when studying but never consider the debt they will end up with. Considering so many graduates leave University completely unable to get the most basic job, it seems insane to consider running up that much debt. There are other, cheaper ways of getting a degree.I often wonder if it is because people are scared that with the new rules it is the easier option than getting a job. Lots of apparently free money for not a lot of effort at University (in some, not all cases).

DaisyFlower wrote: »

Many simply dont care about the debt as they never intend to get a job that pays over the threashold for repaying the loan anyway.

You both make valid points, however I would like to just say that I am aware of the debt problem. Having lived with varying amounts of debt for the past 9 years I can honestly say that the thought of maybe - just maybe - one day having a good job that I can be proud of and work hard in far outweighs the debt I'll have to get out of afterwards.

And I fully intend to use my degree to it's fullest (assuming of course, that I am successful!). I constantly regret not having done it when I left college, when it would have been SO much easier for me - there are lots of jobs out there for graduates of my chosen path, and I know competition will be fierce, but I'm gonna do my utmost to get one.

I appreciate some people do try it, but I have NO intention of trying to get out of any debt I have now, or may have in the future.

KEA

For me the debt is worth the opportunity of gaining a degree and hopefully gaining employment that pays more than minimum wage.
Had I not started a degree when I split up with my ex DH then I would have spent that time not really doing a great deal until my DD and DS went to school (I started my degree when DS was 2.5 and DD nearly 4).
I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to better myself and hopefully by the time DD is 7 and DS is 6 I should have a PGCE and will try my hardest to gain employment that fits in with their schooling so I am able to both earn a wage and be there for them during the school holidays, that to me is worth the debt that I would have accrued through study.
Despite having been on benefits throughout my study, I hope that I am setting a better example to my children through working to improve myself in the long term.

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Don't forget the way that fees are rocketing for 2012 entry.

If you finish your degree with the OU, you'll graduate in 2013 with no debt but if you start a 3 year degree in 2012 at a bricks and mortar university, you'll graduate in 2015 owing nearly 40 grand.

If you've been happy to study with the OU before, it doesn't seem a hard choice to make!

Would op qualify under the new OU rules as a transitional student though- given that she's not studied for three years?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do op.

Oldernotwiser

Poly,put_the_kettle_on wrote: »

Would op qualify under the new OU rules as a transitional student though- given that she's not studied for three years?

She would as long as she fits into the following categories.


"To be eligible and remain eligible for these transitional arrangements you must also meet the following important date criteria:

you will start a module that counts towards your qualification between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013
AND

you have completed a module which began between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011 OR you’re studying a module that starts between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012"

ww8.open.ac.uk/study/explained/fees-2012/currently-studying

It's important for anyone wanting to benenfit from the OU's transitional arrangements that they start a module during the next academic year and then do another one straight afterwards.

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

I was just coming back to post the new rules- I was a little distracted to find my results were in!

Oldernotwiser

Poly,put_the_kettle_on wrote: »

I was just coming back to post the new rules- I was a little distracted to find my results were in!

All good, I hope.

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

A good pass in Soc, and a distinction in Psyc. Considering that home life has been turned on it's head in a dramatic fashion this year, I couldn't be happier with the results.