open university course on benefits

jenny2115

Hi all,

Looking for some advice, I am currently on Severe disablement Allowance and higher mobility and middle personal care DLA and have been for nearly 20 years, I have been awarded both for life, I am 43 at the moment, I have been thinking alot about doing an open university course from the house, as an interest but also as a possibilty of taking studying further and doing something from home possibly as a small business with the help of my husband, as I couldn't possibly ever be in the position to work a normal job.

Just wondering how the course would affect my benefits or payments and would I be likely to get any help with paying for it.

Its all just thoughts at the moment but would love to try it, just a bit scared.

Thanks in advance for any info

Jen :-)

alyth

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/about/p6_2.shtml

try this link - I have no idea with regards to benefits, but someone posted a few weeks ago about how if you have an income of below a certain amount you're entitled to help from the OU. Alternatively, if you live in Scotland, you could apply for an ILA worth £200 towards an OU course. My mother is a member of Mensa and receives a grant every year from them towards her OU degree in Maths!

Good luck, I know from my mother's experience that it can be hard work, but I suspect that's because of the course she's chosen! I'm planning on taking a degree through the OU in history within the next couple of years, but I also know others who have done courses through the OU and found them terribly helpful, so it might be worth giving them a call as well.

CIS

You would most likely get the full funding for being on a low income + course/pc grant.

It wouldn't affect you claiming any state benefits.

visit https://www.open.ac.uk and they have a financial support section

jenny2115

Thanks for the reply's guys, its a big help, been doing alot of reading in the open AC site and benefits sites and I can't seem to find anywhere where it says it can affect my benefits, so I think I will give them a call and see how I get on.

peter999

Following recent thread about OU study may help.

money for open university study
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=375101

help re open university grant.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=10310

peter999

Oldernotwiser

You need to be aware that the concessions are based on household income not individual income. As has been said, check with the OU site for exact threshold for contributions. Funding for a course won't affect your benefits as you only get funding for the fees and a small amount of help for materials. There is no provision for maintenance funding with the OU.

skyrocket

I just wanted to say go for it!
'm doing a law degree with the OU and loving it! It isn't easy and it's hard to juggle a family, work and study but I love learning and would never have time to go to do a degree at a 'proper' uni (and I know that OU is a proper uni!)IYSWIM.
xx

jenny2115

sorry should have done a search first, just ploughed straight in there...

Have been looking though the threads and got some really good info from them will have a good read at it tomorrow, I'm in Scotland so it looks like ILA, but from what i can see they give you £200 towards it, but Open AC give you 60 points, depending on the course that can be quite a difference, is it possible for me to apply for financial help through open AC or do I need to go through ILA, think I will give them a call tomorrow, tried phoning them today, but it just kept ringing out all the time.

Financial wise I am on my benefits nothing else and my husbands wage is £14800 per annum, and we get £35 working tax credits, so I think we qualify for it ok, just didn't want it affecting my benefits.

Oh and I have two adults boys, 21 and 18 both work and earn good money, would their money come into it?


Thanks
Jen

Taloola78

I know it's slightly different but I am going to college this year and have been to see about how much it will cost and they told me that as long as I was claiming Working Tax Credit I shouldn't pay any fee's.
I would give them a ring and see what they say, they are very helpful. I did a course a couple of years ago while on benefits and I never paid anything towards it.
Good Luck if you manage to get it sorted.

TheToothfairy_3

Funny, I was just filling in my application for financial assistance this evening from the OU.
In the application form it does ask you to list ALL adults living in the household such as parents, lodgers, adult children etc.
However, it does only ask for a breakdown of yours and your husband/partners wages, bank interest received, benefits etc.
So to answer your question, I would presume that your adult childrens income would not affect your application but if they pay you rent then you may have to declare that under 'Other Income' and it would be taken into account.
hth

Morglin

I did a course with the Ou (I am disabled).

I got £250 course grant and £250 to help with buying a computer.

There are also larger amounts available if you need help or equipment, which are means tested.

I didn't claim anything extra, but the OU told me that things like housing benefit wouldn't be affected by any student grants etc.,

I would check that out with the DWP/Housing Benefits, though.

The OU have a disability section, and they are very helpful if you phone them for advice.

Lin