Advice please on University/income support and DLA.

samantham06

Hi this may be quite complicated, but wondering if someone could please give me some advice!
I am a lone parent, currently working and my daugher recieves middle rate DLA for health issues. At the moment I am finding it really hard working and have had to have alot of time off-plus financially im sure im not better off! So id like to do a uni course to get a better job and have more time for my daughter.
I have had two friends tell me that the job centre has PAID for their tution fees! and let them keep their income support so they do not get into debt, and can complete a course that leads to a job. They have said this isnt widely known about and takes alot of looking into.
I have tried numerous times to contact the jobcentre to find out about this, but literally nobody has heard about it, or has differnt guidelines and cannot give me an answer!
I am not entitled to the regular student finance, due to an overpayment from years back! So this would be my only way of completing a degree.
Does anyone know anything about this?? or even had this theirselves?
Also my child is in need of various aids, and i have heard because of the DLA I mabe be able to apply for grants?! Has anyone heard of these?
Any advice gratefully recieved.

BigAunty

The Turn2us online benefit calculator website has a grant checker facility, so you might find one there relating to DLA and payment for aids. There is also a Disability and Dosh forum on MSE that may know more about this area.

I have never, ever heard of the Job Centre paying University tuition fees for anyone though I am aware that lone parents in full time education qualify for benefits. Many university websites have info about student finance.

The Directgov website has info about general student finance (plus there is a student forum on MSE).

You could also look into the Open University which can fit into your employment (don't believe they waive fees now as much as they used to for those on benefits but I believe it is now possible to access Student Loans to pay for the OU now).

kingfisherblue

I have a disabled child and am on Income Support. I also claim carer's allowance.

I studied at university for my degree, part time over five years. I was allowed to keep my benefits. Carer's allowance would have ceased if it had been a full time course - I don't know about anything else. The course fees were paid for me and each year I received £250 grant towards books, childare and travel. I could also have applied to the university's 'Access to Learning' Fund (it used to be called the hardship fund), but I didn't need to.

I asked the student finance department at my local council, and they sorted everything out. they paid the fees directly to the university, so you don't actually receive the money yourself (apart fromth e grant).

Regarding grants for your daughter, it would be helpful if you could be a little more precise on what she needs, as there are many different types of grants. If you don't want to say on a public forum, PM me and I will try to help.

mynameistallulah

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I have a disabled child and am on Income Support. I also claim carer's allowance.

I studied at university for my degree, part time over five years. I was allowed to keep my benefits. Carer's allowance would have ceased if it had been a full time course - I don't know about anything else. The course fees were paid for me and each year I received £250 grant towards books, childare and travel. I could also have applied to the university's 'Access to Learning' Fund (it used to be called the hardship fund), but I didn't need to.

I asked the student finance department at my local council, and they sorted everything out. they paid the fees directly to the university, so you don't actually receive the money yourself (apart fromth e grant).

Regarding grants for your daughter, it would be helpful if you could be a little more precise on what she needs, as there are many different types of grants. If you don't want to say on a public forum, PM me and I will try to help.

It might help if you said when you started your degree, and who funded it. To the best of my knowledge the DWP have never funded degree courses, although certain groups have previously qualified for full fee remission through the usual student finance.

Dunroamin

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I have a disabled child and am on Income Support. I also claim carer's allowance.

I studied at university for my degree, part time over five years. I was allowed to keep my benefits. Carer's allowance would have ceased if it had been a full time course - I don't know about anything else. The course fees were paid for me and each year I received £250 grant towards books, childare and travel. I could also have applied to the university's 'Access to Learning' Fund (it used to be called the hardship fund), but I didn't need to.

I asked the student finance department at my local council, and they sorted everything out. they paid the fees directly to the university, so you don't actually receive the money yourself (apart fromth e grant).

Regarding grants for your daughter, it would be helpful if you could be a little more precise on what she needs, as there are many different types of grants. If you don't want to say on a public forum, PM me and I will try to help.

From this September, all part time HE course fees are funded by taking out student loans, although students could remain on benefits whilst studying.

samantham06

Thanks everyone, could someone please point me in the right direction for the disability forum?
I am not eligible for any help from student finance, due to an overpayment (their fault!) years ago. So I cannot get any loans/help from them to complete a degree.
Hence why I am trying to work out whether the JC do in fact cover it. Seems to be a minefield!

mynameistallulah

samantham06 wrote: »

Thanks everyone, could someone please point me in the right direction for the disability forum?
I am not eligible for any help from student finance, due to an overpayment (their fault!) years ago. So I cannot get any loans/help from them to complete a degree.
Hence why I am trying to work out whether the JC do in fact cover it. Seems to be a minefield!

They do not - they can offer some funding for training, but that is for key skills, and would be a few hundred pounds at most.

Dunroamin

samantham06 wrote: »

Thanks everyone, could someone please point me in the right direction for the disability forum?
I am not eligible for any help from student finance, due to an overpayment (their fault!) years ago. So I cannot get any loans/help from them to complete a degree.
Hence why I am trying to work out whether the JC do in fact cover it. Seems to be a minefield!

Couldn't you repay this overpayment while you're still working so that you can get top up funding to finish your degree?

SuziQ

I have two suggestions: 1) have you ever contacted the 'family fund' for help with items for your daughter? As she is on DLA you are entitled to one claim every 12 months, and now is a good time to apply as they can get short of funds towards the end of the year. My son received a computer with adaptations, a printer and a large trampoline for the garden. Just google it and you can find instructions and the application form
2) could you consider the open university? You still have to apply for funding from them, but you can do the courses whilst receiving Carers allowance, as I did. You study at home, although lots of courses you do get sessions with tutor groups. I found it excellent.

samantham06

Thanks, in answer:
I cant repay the overpayment in one go as I do not have the spare money (I am worse off working than on benefits as I dont get carers allowance-just checked on turn to us)
I have looked into the OU but will have to fund this myself, and appears to be very expensive!
and thanks very much for the information about family fund, never heard of them-just googled and they looked fantastic!
I didnt think the JC funded it, but they have def funded two of my friends! Hence why I know about it.

kingfisherblue

mynameistallulah wrote: »

It might help if you said when you started your degree, and who funded it. To the best of my knowledge the DWP have never funded degree courses, although certain groups have previously qualified for full fee remission through the usual student finance.

I started my degree in September 2004 and completed it five years later, as I studied part time. I didn't deal with any of the funding myself, as the student awards section of my council sorted it all out, so I'm not sure exactly who funded it.

When I started my degree, I was married but my (now ex) husband was a low earner.

Regarding the Family Fund - having a child on DLA does not entitle you to a grant from them. There are other criteria to fulfill. I know of one family whose daughter is hard of hearing, has learning difficulties, attends a special school, and still did not qualify. the family is on benefits, so it wasn't because they earned too much. The girl (a friend's daughter) is on middle rate care.

That doesn't mean to say that the OP shouldn't apply though - the first award is usually more than subsequent awards. My first award was for a washing machine, holiday, driving lessons, and a cash grant towards transport to hospital (we didn't claim any benefits at the time and were at Alder Hey most weeks, plus our local hospital and several clinics several times a month).

Once you have had one award, you can apply for future awards online if you are applying for certain items. It tends to be much quicker - around a fortnight instead of up to twelve weeks.