Access Course-funding?

mummytofour

Hi,
I am wanting to do an access course in sep and the fee is £550. I have five children, 2 would be in day care and the other three will need before and after school care. I have NO idea how the heck I am going to pay for any of this. I am 29. Our family income is not huge but above the 15k IYKWIM. I have spoken to two colleges in my area. One has said I can apply to the access fund, but did not hold much hope. The other were totally useless, however the useless college is the one I REALLY want as they have childcare on site.
I have been told I may get ALG ( same as EMA) BUT I am not sure as the access course I want to do it only one and a half days a week ( short version as less childcare require!)

Any advice regarding money or help etc would be fab. I failed all but one GCSE and never went on. I am currenly studing for the national test in English and Maths.

Mummytofour ( well five but do not know how to change my username)

mummytofour

Bump :-)....

Oldernotwiser

ALG is for full time study only, so 1 1/2 days per week won't apply. If you don't already have a full Level 2 qualification ( 5 GCSEs A-C, NVQ2, BTEC First etc.) some colleges will waive fees under something called the Level 2 Entitlement. Access courses are usually Level 3 so your college may allow you to be something called "a jumper". ie. someone who's "jumping" over Level 2. Alternatively, there are hopes that a Level 3 entitlement will be introduced next year but the government haven't confirmed this definitely yet.

If you've only spoken to college tutors about the funding situation, don't give up. The college welfare adviser should have more information or be able to discuss the information I've given you.

If none of this works, it might be worth your while taking a Level 1 (means something different from the above levels) unit with the Open University. Many universities will accept this for entry as they're looking for "recent, relevant education". Obviously check this out first with the Admissions Tutor on the course you want to do at university. Alternatively, you might enjoy studying with the OU so much that you do your whole degree with them. Although this type of study doesn't suit everyone it can be very suitable for those for whom childcare is a problem. With the sort of family income you mention you would probably pay no fees; not only for the initial Level 1 course but for any of the rest of the degree level study.
Goos luck

jayarr_2

when i did my access level 2 4 years ago, if you did 4 subjects u didn't have to pay at all, if you did 3 you did, not sure if that was just my college-i only really wanted to do 3, but did 4 to get the funding!

cozzie

Where will you be doing your access course. I am currently doing an access course in Trafford, Manchester. If our income is low enough (or on WTC) then we receive an Access grant which is intended to cover our course materials and help towards transport costs (£90pa for materials + transport dependant on your distance from the college). My course also covers Maths and English as well as a Diploma in I.T.

Our course also includes both levels 2 and 3 (equivalent to A level but selective as to what we need to learn). Also, here we have a fantastic Student Support Service, which has just been awarded a Matrix Standard Accreditation - It just means that they have proved themselves to be REALLY REALLY good at their job. Why not ring the college you intend to attend and make an appointment to see their student support with a view to discussing your best options.

HTH

Good luck with the studies.

catz747

Have you done a search on the educational grants website? Dont know if any grants apply to you but worth a try, A quick search will show places that may provide funding to you:

http://www.egas-online.org.uk/fwa/trustsearch.htm