Going to university can i still get benefits?

Dunroamin

But what about the maintenance loan?

DD224

Ive already had a previous student loan so am not eligible for another maintenance loan unfortunately.

PippaGirl_2

DD224, the bursary is considered income for benefits purposes, I lost almost all of in deductions from benefits. Had to pay my own travel and gain some debt in the process.

Triangle

PippaGirl wrote: »

DD224, the bursary is considered income for benefits purposes, I lost almost all of in deductions from benefits. Had to pay my own travel and gain some debt in the process.

Hi Pippa, just out of interest do you know if this is a recent change? I did my training 2009-2011 and was informed it wasn't counted as income for benefits such as WTC. Thanks

PippaGirl_2

I did mine 2006-2010 and it was then

benefitbaby

Triangle wrote: »

Hi Pippa, just out of interest do you know if this is a recent change? I did my training 2009-2011 and was informed it wasn't counted as income for benefits such as WTC. Thanks

It will depend entirely on the type of bursary.

Many 'course costs' are called bursary's however if this is actually provided from the Learner Support Fund or the Access to Learning Fund then how this is treated by DWP will depend on whether this is paid in a lump sum or installments. If it paid in a single lump sum payment then it is treated as capital. If it is paid in installments it is treated as income and is disregarded in full unless it is paid for 'daily living expenses' in which case then they ignore £20 per week.

If the 'bursary' is not from the LSF or ALF but is intended to cover specific items or expenses (eg books, materials etc) then it should be ignored but you have to show that the payment is necessary for you to be able to attend the course. If you cannot show this then it will count as income.

PippaGirl_2

I was talking about the social work bursary which was what the OP was talking about. It is paid in three lump sums just as the student finance is, however where the student finance is intended to cover 10 months of the year, the social work bursary covers all 12 months and the benefits agencies take it all into account even though the paperwork says that the bursary includes a £500 travel allowance for the placements. It was better in the days when you could claim back the travel costs, then you would actually receive the travel allowance whereas now you are only allowed to keep £120 a year to cover uni and placement travel.

benefitbaby

Just out of interest.... has anyone ever tried to challenge the fact that DWP count it ALL when in reality £500 is specifically allocated for travel expenses?

PippaGirl_2

benefitbaby wrote: »

Just out of interest.... has anyone ever tried to challenge the fact that DWP count it ALL when in reality £500 is specifically allocated for travel expenses?

All of us Uni students talked about writing to the GSCC (who used to administer the bursary, though now that quango has gone and it is now administered by the NHS) to complain as it was penalising students on benefits and they weren't able to receive the allowances for travel but tbh we were all flying by the seat of our pants in Uni 5 full days a week (unlike other uni students!) and doing full time placements and having assignments, and portfolios, direct obs and practice analysis to write up at weekends and evenings plus I was a single parent so I never had the emotional energy. But yes, it really needs to be taken into account, it's poor.