Being made redundant, would I have to pay to study?

smiales

I'm being made redundant and am considering my next step, if I decided to go back into education would the course be paid for? Also would I be entitled to any benefits? HB, C Tax, JSA?

Thanks

karenx

Depends what the course is and at what level? Most students who can get student loans you wont qualify for HB. And you won't get jsa unless you are actively seeking full time employment, or at least will give up the course to take on a job

smiales

It may be something at A level unless I can do OU at home possibly. I would be happy to work some hours a week but I would want my study to come first and would not give that up as the point is that I need to retrain / get more qualifications.

mum2one

unfortunatly if you did go on to jsa, unless theirs an illness, then you be expected to drop the course for a job.

I stufy with the OU, if you were on jsa and met the criteria for financial support, you would get the courses for free.

On average (these are guidelines) a 30 point course you need to allow about 8 hrs per week, a 60 point course 12 to 16 hours a week. Theres plenty of people on the courses that I have completed that work full time, and still do a course, that would be the best way of study.

Or....
If your college does distant learning, if you wanted a course such as A level, but in all honesty I have studied with the OU and really like the flexability of it. x

Dunroamin

mum2one wrote: »

I stufy with the OU, if you were on jsa and met the criteria for financial support, you would get the courses for free.
x

That isn't true any more; all new students have to take out student loans to cover course fees, which have increased substantially.

smiales

mum2one wrote: »

unfortunatly if you did go on to jsa, unless theirs an illness, then you be expected to drop the course for a job.

I stufy with the OU, if you were on jsa and met the criteria for financial support, you would get the courses for free.

On average (these are guidelines) a 30 point course you need to allow about 8 hrs per week, a 60 point course 12 to 16 hours a week. Theres plenty of people on the courses that I have completed that work full time, and still do a course, that would be the best way of study.

Or....
If your college does distant learning, if you wanted a course such as A level, but in all honesty I have studied with the OU and really like the flexability of it. x

I couldn't afford to study if I have to pay for it I don't think. The OU website has support called access to learning fund and 'access to success' which might be worth looking into I suppose.

athenajm

If you're in Wales then you may qualify for ReAct funding which is paid to people who have been made redundant in order to train/retrain. You'd need to speak to your local Careers Wales office.

Sorry, I don't know of any similar schemes in England or Scotland.

mum2one

Dunroamin wrote: »

That isn't true any more; all new students have to take out student loans to cover course fees, which have increased substantially.

I was told by the OU there was still financial help available as long as you meet the criteria. I'm lucky as I'm on transational fees, mine are a fraction of the new costs,

SuziQ

'As a student in England, as long as you are registered with the OU and have started your studies before 1 September 2012 then you will count as a 'continuing student' and be eligible for the transitional arrangements providing you continue to study every year and are studying towards a qualification.'
To qualify for fee waiver you have to be on a qualifying benefit- plus you are unlikely now to be able to start your studies before September so I think you would be expected to take on their loan system.I think retraining in your situation is unlikely, unless you take one of the courses offered to you from Jobcentre plus (is that what they are called now?)Part time Fee loans don't affect your benefits as they are not counted as income, however as someone already pointed out, if you are on JSA you are expected to be able to work.

smiales

So this country does so much to support people then doesn't it. How come there are so many people that have never sodding worked that seem to get whatever they want!

BigAunty

smiales wrote: »

So this country does so much to support people then doesn't it. How come there are so many people that have never sodding worked that seem to get whatever they want!

Bit of a sweeping observation.

A'levels in themselves are pretty worthless from an employers perspective, rarely required as an entry criteria for a job. They are mainly useful for youngsters who want to go onto University.

Open University is designed to fit in around employment, not instead of...

Lone parents and those with disabilities can qualify for income based benefits despite studying. In Scotland, it's possible to get a free or subsidised course with an Individual Learning Account.

Many college courses offer part time and short courses with significant discounts to students on benefits.

Some college courses, despite being advertised as full-time, are often around 2.5 days per week and many students work 10, 20, 30 or more hours per week as they study. Some students also qualify for grants/bursaries/scholarships and so on. I advise you to look at your local colleges to understand their costs, commitments, funding and so on.

The Direct Gov website has a section on student finance, plus there is a student money forum on MSE. There are career development loans available, too.