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lone parent + open uni

ive had a good long look around trying to find out what kind of help i can recieve and i havent had much luck.

ive signed up and sorted out a course in the open uni, starting february next year. the open uni class their courses as part time so i cant apply for the normal grant. i know i can claim the fees loan but is there any other sort of financial help i can claim (for books, maybe a laptop/pc)?

if anyone has any help, that would be great :) thanks.

Comments

  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,730 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
  • Dunroamin
    Dunroamin Posts: 16,908 Forumite
    As the OP has said, s/he can take out loans to pay OU fees. Students in England may be eligible to apply for help towards extra costs through the Access to Learning Fund. She shouldn't need to buy books as all study materials are provided by the OU.
  • Mupette
    Mupette Posts: 4,599 Forumite
    ring the OU's finance dept, they are there to tell you what you can and can't get help with, you need to disclose with them what your income is for them to tell you.
    GNU
    Terry Pratchett
    ((((Ripples))))
  • Dunroamin
    Dunroamin Posts: 16,908 Forumite
    Mupette wrote: »
    ring the OU's finance dept, they are there to tell you what you can and can't get help with, you need to disclose with them what your income is for them to tell you.

    Much better to read all the information available on the website and then telephone if something isn't clear. Students are expected to find out information for themselves, after all.
  • Mupette
    Mupette Posts: 4,599 Forumite
    Dunroamin wrote: »
    Much better to read all the information available on the website and then telephone if something isn't clear. Students are expected to find out information for themselves, after all.


    It's just an option that the OP can choose.
    Didn't do me any harm
    GNU
    Terry Pratchett
    ((((Ripples))))
  • Dunroamin
    Dunroamin Posts: 16,908 Forumite
    Mupette wrote: »
    It's just an option that the OP can choose.
    Didn't do me any harm

    When organisations make a lot of effort to put full information on their website, it's pretty daft to ring them up unless you can't find the information you need.

    It's also not very good form on a forum to tell someone who's posted for information, "ring them up and ask them".
  • RenStar
    RenStar Posts: 217 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Have a look at their Access to Success initative - http://www8.open.ac.uk/study/explained/study-explained/our-range-courses/openings-courses/access-to-success-route

    Depending on your income and whether or not you're new to higher education, you may qualify.
  • velirya
    velirya Posts: 5 Forumite
    thanks guys.
    last time i phoned OU up about a question with my course, they didnt have a clue... which is kinda why i asked here ;)
    i was told to expect a letter of some sort explaining financial things during july, but i guess i have to phone them then!

    thanks
  • velirya
    velirya Posts: 5 Forumite
    p.s. i find it hilarious the postman just gave me the ou letter!

    :D
  • Mupette
    Mupette Posts: 4,599 Forumite
    Dunroamin wrote: »
    When organisations make a lot of effort to put full information on their website, it's pretty daft to ring them up unless you can't find the information you need.

    It's also not very good form on a forum to tell someone who's posted for information, "ring them up and ask them".

    Sometimes ringing up a Helpline works, sometimes it doesn't
    as i did say it worked for me. I had questions that couldn't be answered or were not clear for me on their website. I was just offering advise, just like you.

    I really couldn't care less if you think its not very good form or not, like you couldn't careless if someone doesn't like what you type. So lets just leave it there, i don't want to play your silly game. you won't get a gold medal but i am sure you will get a lot of thanks.
    GNU
    Terry Pratchett
    ((((Ripples))))
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