OUSBA chances

RecentRunes

:question:

Hi,

I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum for this.

I'm thinking of doing an OU course, and the only way I'd be able to fund it would be by using OUSBA.

My credit history is poor (not bankrupt though), so I'm wondering if anyone knows how stringent they are with credit histories.

Has any one had a bad credit history and been accepted?

Many Thanks in advance.

RR

mountainofdebt

I don't know if this helps but I can't get another credit card but I've an OUSBA account.

Do you qualify for financial help? Have a look here to see : http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/about/p6_1.shtml

Another thing that I found out today is that you will soon be able to use Tesco vouchers for either part or full payment for OU courses (see http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=456&bci=4294966476|Education) so effectively the course could cost you 1/4 of what it should.

I don't know yet if you will be able to use Tesco Vouchers to pay off an OUSBA account ( I doubt it though!) but I willbe contacting Tesco/OU to find out more

Katgoddess

Apply anyway. What have you got to lose?

Your fees won't come out of your bank account until a month after your official course start date, but as soon as you register for your course, it will appear on your OUSBA as pending. So you can start saving now, pay off a chunk of it, then the direct debit will be reduced for the rest of the course.

The most you will be paying for in a year is about £600 (I'm guessing as I don't know what courses you will be doing) so it won't be the same as a credit card where they can lend you thousands.

skylight

My credit rating is shot to pieces, defaults everywhere etc and it didn't affect my OUSBA account.

RecentRunes

Many Thanks all for your responses, I really appreciate it.

I'll be on the OU site ASAP..

gavincotton

I know that this is an old topic, however as it comes up in any searches regarding OUSBA, I thought I would add my 2p for others in future.

I was informed in 2008 that OUSBA do not generally do a credit check for anything under £1000 (which is most of the undergraduate courses). This may have changed and now be incorrect. However, I had very poor credit history when I start with the OU and have now funded 9 courses with them over the past 2 years.

They do also post your repayemnt history with the credit references agencies, so as long as your repay on time, then it can help you improve your credit rating.

They have also just slashed their interested reates too......

If anyone has any questions about studying with the OU, please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help you!