Access course funding

dizzyrascal

Don't try for a CDL. The banks will do a credit check and you probably won't succeed.
It is a bank loan after all.

flea72

rocketman80 wrote: »

No idea what the BIB is sorry.

It's a full time access to HE Diploma course, I do not have the necessary qualifications for the degree course, but this gains me them in a short time. (it runs Jan-Aug and is full time)

I might as well just give up. I've worked hard to get to the point I can go and another doors slammed in my face. Its a wee bit upsetting tbh.

Thanks anyway guys. :(

Ok. I thought if starting in jan it would finish the same time as most other college courses, so June/July time

However, If you want to start uni sept 2013 you need to apply by January (but sooner is better if a popular course). Which means you may be better off applying independently now, rather tha waiting for your access college to do your personal statement.

Another problem if you don't finish your course until August, is you might miss clearing, if you don't meet any of your offers (should you get one). I would really be questioning the college as to how it has panned out in other years

Also if money is so tight, why not do the course p/t over 2yrs, as this would spread the fees. It's also less stressful if you are still planning on working alongside the course. I know someone will say they managed to work 40hrs and raise 10 kids whilst doing the course f/t, but realistically I would say working 16hrs is just about doable (depending on how you adapt to learning)

Another thing, is how beneficial is your proposed degree going to be. There's no point slogging yourself and having money worries if you are not able to find work at the end of it. Also is it transferable? From a quick look, it seems like most people use it to progress onto proper physio courses (so end up doing two degrees). Those who don't deviate tend to be self employed and work is fairly limited unless you manage to get a GP or sports club onside

Tbh I think an OT or physio degree would give more options, as at least you have the NHS for employment and your degree would be funded too

F

Tezf7

Hi there
I am currently studying on an access course, and the way you pay for your fees are changing. From 1st August 2013 you will be able to apply for a 24+ advanced learner tuition fee loan. No one will qualify for free tuition anymore. Everyone will be able to get the loan and the loan will be deducted from your wage when you're earning are over £21000. But if you go on to do a degree course and graduate then you access loan will be written off.

Hope that makes sense

Gothic_Musical

Do you have any level 3 qualifications at the moment? If you only have level 2 qualifications you may be able to get part/full funding for the course. That was how I managed to do the Access course when I couldn't afford the full amount.

Problem is I don't know if that applies to all colleges offering the course or has age limits (I did my course 2 years ago, before budget cuts hit my local college). Also you may be able to do a payment plan with your chosen college. I remember a lot of the students doing full-time having to pay monthly.

Good luck with it though and I hope you do get to study because it is a cracking course .

Dunroamin

Tezf7 wrote: »

Hi there
I am currently studying on an access course, and the way you pay for your fees are changing. From 1st August 2013 you will be able to apply for a 24+ advanced learner tuition fee loan. No one will qualify for free tuition anymore. Everyone will be able to get the loan and the loan will be deducted from your wage when you're earning are over £21000. But if you go on to do a degree course and graduate then you access loan will be written off.

Hope that makes sense

That's really interesting and quite new to me, so many thanks.

http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/further-education-skills/24-plus-advanced-learning-loans

amanda_8t4

Don't give up, as stated the way you pay for the access course is changing next year anyway. Speak to student support, trust me they want students to attend their courses so there is help available you just have to be proactive that's all!! I am on an access course at the mo, it's hard work but I have offers for university already because of it so all's good. DON'T GIVE UP!!! Best of luck

flower24

I would check out other colleges in your area, they all seem to have different policies regarding payment etc. Also I agree with what someone else has said about the timing being strange for an Access course. Could you not try and get on a course that starts in September and try and save as much money as possible in the mean time?

My access course was £20 as they paid the rest for people on certain benefits (in my case it was a small amount of housing benefit), but another college I went to an interview at did not do this and everyone had to pay the same amount regardless of circumstance. Also, have you get any GCSEs grade C and above? If you do, you don't have to do access full time, I was a part time access student as they took into account my GCSEs.

Dunroamin

immynjoesmum wrote: »

Also, have you get any GCSEs grade C and above? If you do, you don't have to do access full time, I was a part time access student as they took into account my GCSEs.

Lots of Access courses are full time even for people with good GCSEs.