What funding is available to take BSc Social Work(did a different degree 15yrs ago)

OhSoStupid

Hi Everyone,

I would really appreciate some help! I would really love to do a degree in Social Work and would like to know how much funding I could possibly get. This would be my second degree, having studied and graduating 15 years ago, in a subject that has been no real use to me.

I have done some research and from what I can tell, I would be able to get the tuition loan (up to £9K p.a), a maintenance loan of £5,500 p.a and a Dept of Health Social Work bursary of £4,575. I was hoping that I would qualify for a grant as well (greedy I know!), due to social work degree being one of the few courses that qualify for student loans despite being my second degree, but I don't think a grant is available?

Normally £10,075 per year would be enough to live on, but I am now married with a 4 month old, with a large mortgage. If I could qualify for a grant or further student loans of about £3k per year, we could just about afford it.

I know I should be grateful with one degree, but I barely earn more than minimum wage, on a 1 year contract where it's renewal depends on funding each year, so no real security.

Anyway, many thanks in advance for any guidance or further info.

Taiko

Grant won't be available, nor will a tuition fee loan be available to you.

Support would be restricted to a maintenance loan, and possible entitlements to Parents Learning Allowance & Childcare grants, subject to an income assessment.

OhSoStupid

Taiko wrote: »

Grant won't be available, nor will a tuition fee loan be available to you.

Support would be restricted to a maintenance loan, and possible entitlements to Parents Learning Allowance & Childcare grants, subject to an income assessment.

Dear Taiko

Thank you for your reply. I called Student Finance and they confirmed that I would not be entitled to a tuition fee loan and only a reduced maintenance loan. So looks like it's not going to happen. Thanks for your time though.

Taiko

Why the hell did they say reduced maintenance loan? That's wrong, it's the full amount of maintenanance loan you can apply for, it's not an NHS bursary course.

Person_one

Taiko wrote: »

Why the hell did they say reduced maintenance loan? That's wrong, it's the full amount of maintenanance loan you can apply for, it's not an NHS bursary course.

Its listed on the NHS bursaries site...

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/825.aspx

OhSoStupid

Dear Taiko

Thanks again for reply. I can only say what they told me (and he checked with a colleague). I must admit I was surprised as I thought it would be all or nothing!

I have done some more research and must admit that I was under the impression that the BSc Social work was an NHS funded course? Looking at their website, https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk and reading their download on Social Work Bursary, I am now more confused than ever! I read on Page 9, that if your course is not subject to variable course fees, then you do not need to take out a tuition fee loan with Student Finance.

Any further advice would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. Excuse my ignorance but do you work within this area?

Regards

OhSoStupid

Dear Person_one

Thank you for reading my thread. Can you offer me any hope/advice?

Many thanks

Person_one

I'm afraid not, I only posted as I was sure that I'd seen social work mentioned on the NHS bursaries site (I'm a student nurse).

Taiko is a bit of an expert and usually has the most up to date info on student finance, however in my experience even student finance don't always know what's going on with NHS funded courses and the way the funding sources connect up.

Best suggestion is to read that NHS site thoroughly, speak to the uni offering the course and to student finance, best of luck to you.

OhSoStupid

Many Thanks Person_one,

I will ring the Social Work Bursaries Dept tomorrow morning to see if they have any good news for me! Then ring the uni if there is some hope.

Thanks

Taiko

Social Work Bursaries, whilst administered by the NHS, are not an NHS bursary in the strict sense as they do not pay your fees on your behalf. It's for that reason, and that reason alone, that you will qualify for the full maintenance loan.

Please ignore SFE on this, they cannot be any more wrong. All they hear is "NHS" and they say reduced maintenance loan. The moment they hear social work, they should've said full support.

OhSoStupid

Thank you Taiko.

Does that change anything about the tuition fee loan?

Sorry, I know it's late!