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

smiales

BigAunty wrote: »

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.

I don't think they are worthless at all.

I think lots of people will completely understand where I am coming from.

I'm aware of the costs should I have to pay hence the reason I asked if there was any support as I cannot afford to pay.

I'm not getting in an argument about it, I'm thoroughly fed up with how this country seems to support perfectly able people and yet when someone really needs support it isn't there but that, as they say, is a story for another time.

Thanks

mynameistallulah

smiales wrote: »

I'm thoroughly fed up with how this country seems to support perfectly able people and yet when someone really needs support it isn't there but that

You will be given the support that you "really need" - you will be eligible for JSA, HB, CTB etc.

BigAunty

smiales wrote: »

...

I'm aware of the costs should I have to pay hence the reason I asked if there was any support as I cannot afford to pay.

I'm not getting in an argument about it, I'm thoroughly fed up with how this country seems to support perfectly able people and yet when someone really needs support it isn't there but that, as they say, is a story for another time.

..

I don't believe that means tested benefits have been available to full time students in HE (without disabilities or dependents) for many decades.

I faintly recall that perhaps in the 70s or so that University students once qualified for housing benefit, perhaps just in the holidays, and then full grants to cover their basic expenses.

FE college courses may very well be free (for those that haven't studied at that level before) and attract either busaries, grants, or loans but it's been that way for a long time.

Degree courses have had tuition fees for many years now. Move to Scotland and work for a few years before starting your degree course if you want to get round the high tuition fees as it is free to Scottish students, then work part time and take out loans to pay for your living expenses like virtually all HE students do.

You have to invest in your own career - funding for many types of full time studies and receipt of benefits are long gone.

How about an apprenticeship? You may well qualify for HB, CT and working tax credits because the abysmal pay attracts means tested benefits and its a way to learn and earn.

Dunroamin

mum2one wrote: »

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,

wHICH IS WHY i SAID THE NEW SITUATION APPLIES FOR NEW STUDENTS. (oOPS!)

Dunroamin

smiales wrote: »

I don't think they are worthless at all.

I think lots of people will completely understand where I am coming from.

I'm aware of the costs should I have to pay hence the reason I asked if there was any support as I cannot afford to pay.

I'm not getting in an argument about it, I'm thoroughly fed up with how this country seems to support perfectly able people and yet when someone really needs support it isn't there but that, as they say, is a story for another time.

Thanks

Virtually no adults do A levels.

If they want to do a degree like Nursing or Social Work they do an Access course, otherwise they study part time and support themselves on benefits or by work.

There has never been a time when students got maintenance funding to do a level 3 qualification because this is the level normally studied whilst still at school.

What is it about studying with the OU that doesn't appeal to you?

smiales

BigAunty wrote: »

FE college courses may very well be free (for those that haven't studied at that level before) and attract either busaries, grants, or loans but it's been that way for a long time.

Degree courses have had tuition fees for many years now. Move to Scotland and work for a few years before starting your degree course if you want to get round the high tuition fees as it is free to Scottish students, then work part time and take out loans to pay for your living expenses like virtually all HE students do.

You have to invest in your own career - funding for many types of full time studies and receipt of benefits are long gone.

How about an apprenticeship? You may well qualify for HB, CT and working tax credits because the abysmal pay attracts means tested benefits and its a way to learn and earn.

I went to college straight from school and also studied at uni but left as I struggled to afford it, I worked while doing full time study and I still struggled. That's why I was hoping to dedicate more time to it this time. I think I've missed my chance.

I cannot move to Scotland, that option is not there for me. I think that's quite an extreme option to be honest. I have commitments and honestly don't have the time to wait a few years.

Yes you do have to invest in your own career but it has to be financially viable.

Apprenticeships could be an option, the idea of that low salary puts you off though doesn't it but you may be right and the low salary could be made less scary with benefits attached. At 32 though would I even get a look in? I'm twice the age of the normal candidates!

I suppose you get used to a certain salary and I would be halving it at least if I get an apprenticeship. But if that's the only way.

smiales

[/QUOTE]If they want to do a degree like Nursing or Social Work they do an Access course, otherwise they study part time and support themselves on benefits or by work.[/QUOTE]

Ahh support themselves by working or on benefits. That's pretty much my original question. What benefits do they get while doing the access course??

What is it about studying with the OU that doesn't appeal to you?

I've never said I studying with the OU isn't appealing? I asked about financial support.

Dunroamin

smiales wrote: »

If they want to do a degree like Nursing or Social Work they do an Access course, otherwise they study part time and support themselves on benefits or by work.[/QUOTE]

Ahh support themselves by working or on benefits. That's pretty much my original question. What benefits do they get while doing the access course??

What is it about studying with the OU that doesn't appeal to you?

I've never said I studying with the OU isn't appealing? I asked about financial support.[/QUOTE]

If you were studying an Access course part time and were seeking work you could claim JSA etc but would need to be prepared to give up the course if you found it and state that you would do so. If you were studying full time you wouldn't be eligible for JSA, although you could claim LHA/HB/CTB.

With the OU you take out student loans to pay the fees and support yourself by working or claiming JSA etc. As the OU is by distance leaning and wouldn't interfere with your working, there would be no reason to give it up when you found a job so it wouldn't affect your JSA claim.

BigAunty

smiales wrote: »

...

Apprenticeships could be an option, the idea of that low salary puts you off though doesn't it but you may be right and the low salary could be made less scary with benefits attached. At 32 though would I even get a look in? I'm twice the age of the normal candidates!

Yes, even though people believe they are aimed at school/college leavers, there is a very high percentage of mature candidates - I read an article recently that gave figures on this (though I doubt I could find it now) and it was quite high.

If you identify the current apprenticeship wage (which only equates to £2 odd an hour) and put this through the Turn2us calculator, it should identify your tax credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

There are certain types of apprenticeships that are accepted as full time employment for the purposes of benefits and some that aren't but I expect you can find the definition on the HMRC tax credit site.

Or hopefully other MSE posters can post relevant links.

Edinburgh65

This country can clearly no longer afford to support anyone's lifestyle choices. Is it really any fairer for the government to prop up someone who wants to study at the government's expense, rather than someone who simply has no aspirations at all. Both are lifestyle choices. If you cannot afford to study, then that's life.

At the end of the day, if this country is going to ever get out of the mess that it is in, then non-essential lifestyle choices can simply not be supported. Everyone is suffering in some way or another, and everyone has a part to play in the UK economy's recovery. The days of "I'm alright Jack", are long gone, and too many people are feeling sorry for themselves in the false belief that they alone are being persecuted.