Claiming benefits and doing a degree

samia

6 weeks ago I had to start claiming benefits, income based JSA, and I have an application going through for HB and Council tax.

Someone recently told me that there is special funding for unemployed people on benefits who would like to do a degree.

I have not heard of this. Does any one know anything about it?

(I shall ask when I next go in but its not for another week and a half.)

Dunroamin

There's no special funding for an unemployed person to do a degree but the normal funding package of loans and grants will enable you to come off benefits.

Emmzi

Azim, please provide evidence or examples. We are talking about degrees not vocational courses.

MrsManda

As you're entitled to public funding through loans and grants in order to do a degree I don't think you are entitled to claim funding via the benefits system to do the same.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm

Funding for vocational courses such as computer literacy, food safety certificates etc... may be available.

You need to speak to your JCP advisor and ask what training is available for you in your area. Some links which may be useful to you are:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dwp1002.pdf

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/programmesandservices/DG_198948

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/programmesandservices/DG_183454

In terms of getting a degree you may still be able to claim benefits such as JSA if you choose to do a degree but this depends on your personal circumstances and whether you're doing a FT or PT degree.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10034876

BigAunty

AzimScot is talking vague mince as he is apt to do. There is absolutely no specific benefit to help the unemployed to undertake a degree so put that out of your mind.

The public purse he may be speaking about are the trusts and charities that give small grants to certain needy individuals according to their own criteria. Not only that, they tend to give tiny sums and do not necessarily expect the student to match them in anyway (the matching that Mr Mince is talking about tends to apply to start-up loans/grants for new businesses).

Some, not many, trusts and charities give grants to needy students but many don't as they expect students to apply for and get their own funding from the institution, their educational authority or student loans.

But that's not the public purse, that's charity/trusts who use their own private income to disburse money (often just to other charities or community groups, not students). However, there is a student board on MSE and they will have info on all elements of student funding.

The public purse, as I understand the term, is the maintenance grants and fees that the tax payers that pay towards students living and tuition costs.

Generally, only those with disabilities or dependents or are considered especially vulnerable (such as care leavers/those estranged from their parents) qualify for benefits while in full time education. The links that Mrs Manda provides is a good starting point.

You could also look into something like the Open University to see if its more affordable for you to study on JSA or to combine it with work and study which many OU students do.

moose1982

I get HB and am doing an OU degree, I just need the council to stamp a booklet each year to say that I am entitled to HB and they pay for all my fees for that year. However, things have changed and so your best bet would be to contact the OU to see what the score is these days with new students.

Dunroamin

moose1982 wrote: »

I get HB and am doing an OU degree, I just need the council to stamp a booklet each year to say that I am entitled to HB and they pay for all my fees for that year. However, things have changed and so your best bet would be to contact the OU to see what the score is these days with new students.

From September, new students will be eligible to take out fee loans with the OU and any part time HE study.

moose1982

Dunroamin wrote: »

From September, new students will be eligible to take out fee loans with the OU and any part time HE study.

Thanks, I knew there was a change, but didn't know exactly what. I blame it on old age and memory going :rotfl:

Dunroamin

moose1982 wrote: »

Thanks, I knew there was a change, but didn't know exactly what. I blame it on old age and memory going :rotfl:

You can probably claim something for that!;)