JSA advice for college leaver.

Flexer

Hi, I wanted some advice for my nephew.

He has just finished college aged 19. I have advised him to carry on and stay in education next year, but it will mean he needs to pay for it. However he is unable to afford them and his parents are not in a position to help him out financially.

Is this be the time for him to sign on for JSA. Will they offer him any help into getting on to courses or apprenticeships or only advice on jobseeking?

Ideally he is looking to find a funded course (free) and continue in education in September.

Should he wait till September to see if he can remain in education and if he can't claim JSA or should he claim it now?

Dunroamin

When will he be 20 and what is his educational level?

BigAunty

Can I ask why he needs to pay for his education? Are you referring to tuition fees for University where students can readily get loans for these, plus those who come from low income families tend to get extra financial assistance?

Or because he's wanting to repeat the same level Further Education course? What course is it that he wants to do and how much will it cost him? Career aspiration - what type of job?

The Direct Gov website has good info on Student Finance.

The Job Centre does not have a very good reputation for helping with advice on Education and training.

There are websites dedicated to finding apprenticeships.

See if there is a local Connexions as they offer career/training/job seeking advice to those up to the age of 19, I believe. Also, I believe that the Princes Trust has a good reputation for getting youngsters into work, voluntary experience, training, self employment.

There is also an employment/job seeking forum on MSE where the posters can give you additional ideas to help your nephew find employment and training.

von

He may not be able to claim JSA until September, more details needed as requested by Dunroamin.

Flexer

He is 20 next July.

He wants to do a Level 2 doploma in C&G in Electrotechnical Technology, which would be his first Level 2, having done Level 1 this year. He has only done GCSEs and Level 1 diploma courses.

He was told by college advisers and support teachers that some courses are funded and some are not and they will not know for sure until September if his course will be funded and hence free for him.

He was also told that JSA recipients are entitled to free tuition for his course and told off the record by a teacher that his best option was to claim JSA.

princessdon

They will know which courses are SFA funded by now, but as this is his first level 2 and he is under 24 it will be free regardless.

If the course is free via JSA (therefore inscope) then the First Level 2/3 for under 24 would also be applicable.

Now here is the other thing to consider

If he is in receipt of JSA he will have access to the Learner Support Fund (for financial help) BUT that course is full time usually and so he won't be able to do this if on JSA.

Flexer

That makes a lot more sense. Thanks for your help

BigAunty

Flexer wrote: »

...
He was told by college advisers and support teachers that some courses are funded and some are not and they will not know for sure until September if his course will be funded and hence free for him.

Sorry, are you referring to funding by the authority for the course to be set up by the college? I don't understand why students have to pay course fees because at our local college, if the course doesn't run because the college or govt has decided not to fund it, it doesn't run! It's never the case that it runs but but only if the students pay for it. The only students that ever pay for a course are from overseas or a student has decided to retake a course lower than what they've previously been funded for.

Flexer wrote: »

..

He was also told that JSA recipients are entitled to free tuition for his course and told off the record by a teacher that his best option was to claim JSA.

This is piffle and I don't believe the teacher understands the risks - JSA is for the unemployed seeking employment - Job seekers who are expected to prioritise their job search and can be sent on mandatory Job Centre courses or work experience at short notice.


Is this course a full time one that is going to run from Sept through to May/June? And if it is a full time course, what is the actual college attendance in hours - 16? 22?

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is a benefit open to most people over the age of 18 who are unemployed, not in education and looking for work. You could also be eligible if you have a job where you work less than 16 hours every week.
If you're under 18, or if you're a student, it's unlikely you will be entitled to the allowance.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/youngpeople/money/financialhelpforyoungpeople/dg_10027506

bestpud

GCSEs are level two so this won't be his first level two course, assuming he passed 5 (I think?) at grade C or above.

I wonder if that is the reason he can't access funding?

embob74

My daughter was also told that after the age of 19 she will have to pay for any course she studies, whatever level it is.
However she was also told that if she starts a course before the age of 19 it is free and any subsequent years relating to the same course are also free.
Perhaps worth clarifying with the college why the level 2 and 3 are not funded when it is a follow on from the level one course he has completed?

von

The reason I asked for his age and his educational level is because if he is under 20 and he was attending a non advanced course i.e. A level or below then he is not eligible to claim JSA until 3/9/12.