This almost puts me off study!

PippaGirl_2

I think normally it is only 4 years of financial support? Or at least it is normally

eta I would think the problem is, even if you have the facility of 2 further years of funded study perhaps they have to reasonably believe you are able to complete a course in that time?

tommy2k8

Probably.
Anyway I still don't think it's fair.

BigAunty

tommy2k8 wrote: »

...However, I'm entitled 6 years of financial suppor t and I have only had 4.

I'm not familiar with the OU support for those with disabilities but presumably this 6 year entitlement does have some kind of additional caveat that funding can end if a student isn't completing certain requirements, such as passing modules, or is this not the case, it's blank funding for that duration regardless of progress?

Do you receive working tax credits to top up your self-employment income?

The turn2us online benefit checker will highlight all your benefit entitlement, plus it has a grant checker search facility - perhaps you can find a grant giving body to pay your course fees? There is a student forum on MSE that may also help you identify other sources of student funding, plus the Direct Gov website has general student finance information.

Can you afford to pay for the remainder of the course via your employment/benefit income or loans?

tommy2k8

Thanks for the advice.
I haven't at the moment, but my regional advisor is looking into reversing the decision.

fishybusiness

Open University credits are normally studied at 60 per year, hence the 6 years support to gain an honours degree.

Over the past 4 years, how many credits have you earned?

tommy2k8

BigAunty wrote: »

I'm not familiar with the OU support for those with disabilities but presumably this 6 year entitlement does have some kind of additional caveat that funding can end if a student isn't completing certain requirements, such as passing modules, or is this not the case, it's blank funding for that duration regardless of progress?

Do you receive working tax credits to top up your self-employment income?

The turn2us online benefit checker will highlight all your benefit entitlement, plus it has a grant checker search facility - perhaps you can find a grant giving body to pay your course fees? There is a student forum on MSE that may also help you identify other sources of student funding, plus the Direct Gov website has general student finance information.

Can you afford to pay for the remainder of the course via your employment/benefit income or loans?

The only benefit I get is Disability Living Allowance

BigAunty

tommy2k8 wrote: »

The only benefit I get is Disability Living Allowance

okay, you indicated that you work in a self-employed capacity and don't earn much.

I believe working claimants with disabilities can work 16 hours per week and qualify for WTC but I'm not sure if they are subject to the 25 year age threshold or not is applied to the non-disabled. WTC is complex - you'd need to check the HMRC website, they definately have a section on WTC and disability.

You need to understand fully the criteria for WTC and ensure you follow the guidance on what they class as renumerative employment and keep good records if you go down this path. Due to abuse of the WTC system by the self-employed (people exaggerating their hours, not being able to prove they've got customers and are actively marketing, etc), the HMRC do a lot of compliance audits.