Part Time Student looking for financial help :o

Nuttyzebra

i am currently studying with the open university and have been for a while.
i have 2.5 more course to complete before i get an honours degree.

My problem is each year the course costs increase and as I'm paying for it myself I'm starting to struggle to find the funds to complete.
I have been turned down for financial assistance through the OU, and was hoping some one would know on how i can help pay of the remainder of my courses.

I am intending on studying for a PGCE afterwards and intend on applying for assistance from my local LEA for help with that course.

I have tried applying for Student accounts and have been turned down by the Halifax, and Barclays, their reasoning being i don't meet their criteria, I presume the fact I'm over half way through a part time degree.

any advice would be great fully received. I have been through the main site but all things seem to apply to new/full time students.

silolz

The LEA was overtaken by Student Finance, they now deal with all matters regarding finance for students. Due to studying an OU course, you will not be entitled to any funding from SF.

In regards to getting funding I would recommend a part-time job, to give you enough time to complete your studies.

Advice: If you decide you're really going ahead with a PGCE, is it now possible for you check into a different univeristy, a univeristy funded by SF? Just to do your PGCE.

Dunroamin

The OU has now introduced student loans for their courses, although this covers the new increased fees for new students. It might be worth ringing them to see if you can switch to the new system, even if it means paying higher fees.

trying-my-best

I know its not exactly what you are looking for, but student finance england do a grant of £265 (goes up each year) to help with books etc, but it gets paid to your account.. and isn't repayable!

stephyt23

trying-my-best wrote: »

I know its not exactly what you are looking for, but student finance england do a grant of £265 (goes up each year) to help with books etc, but it gets paid to your account.. and isn't repayable!

May be worth seeing if you're entitled to this. I'm part time too and that's all the help I get from SF as they don't have loans for current part time students.

I'm rapidly discovering along with mnay others on my course how there are many disadvantages to being part time students rather than full time

Katexx

Are you using an OUSBA account to pay your fees monthly, or are you paying them upfront? If you're not using OUSBA then it's certainly worth looking into that!

noelphobic

stephyt23 wrote: »

May be worth seeing if you're entitled to this. I'm part time too and that's all the help I get from SF as they don't have loans for current part time students.

I'm rapidly discovering along with mnay others on my course how there are many disadvantages to being part time students rather than full time

I've been with the OU since 2006 and I get the grant and help towards the course fees, despite being on reasonable pay. I thought you only got the grant if you qualified for full or partial help towards the fees, although I could be wrong.