Help with the uni fees

pavlovs_dog

the online facility isnt going live until the end of april according to the studentfinancedirect website...make sure you will leave yourself plenty of time to complete the form before the deadline (in order to help make sure your son gets his first payment on time), as the forms are often trickier than they first appear, what with them wanting proof of this, that and the other !!!

student100

Last year they said they'd have sorted online application by the end of April (2004), but AFAIK it never materialised. This year they say they'll have it sorted by the end of April 2005.

The delays last year didn't fill me with confidence, if I were you I'd apply on paper for the time being...

lellie

apply on paper.. the online thing probably won't happen! heh..

The sooner loans/fees are not income assessed the better - EVERYONE should get the same - then they could just give it out..

zzzLazyDaisy

Sorry, can I piggy back on this thread?

My son, aged 33, wants to go to university to study Theology. He is disabled and for the past 10 years or so has not been able to work, though he does do a lot of voluntary work for the local church when he is well enough.

He is on IS and DLA. No savings.

He is worried about the Tuition fees, and also what he would do for income if his IS is stopped when he goes to Uni. It is unlikely that he will be able to work full time when he graduates, because of his disability, so he is very worried about getting into debt.

Are there special arrangements for Mature / disabled students? Is there a website I could go to for advice?

Many thanks

Daisy

lellie

zzzLazyDaisy wrote:

Sorry, can I piggy back on this thread?

My son, aged 33, wants to go to university to study Theology. He is disabled and for the past 10 years or so has not been able to work, though he does do a lot of voluntary work for the local church when he is well enough.

He is on IS and DLA. No savings.

He is worried about the Tuition fees, and also what he would do for income if his IS is stopped when he goes to Uni. It is unlikely that he will be able to work full time when he graduates, because of his disability, so he is very worried about getting into debt.

Are there special arrangements for Mature / disabled students? Is there a website I could go to for advice?

Many thanks

Daisy

He'll probably be able to get learning grants due to his disability..

He will get tuition fees paid more than likely as he recieves benefits and has no other income.. IS will be stopped but he will get a disabled learners benefit probably..

He will get the full loan like other students - he will be in debt - but if he doesn't get a full time job earning more than £15,000 after uni he will not need to pay it back so he doesn't have to worry about that.

newfoundglory

Just to add... its probably worth your son getting in contact with the Local Education Authority (LEA); they will be able to provide him with all the details.

Former_MSE_Archna

zzzLazyDaisy

You could also try egas (educational grants advisory service). They provide information and advice on funding for post 16 education. Once you have filled in a quick online form they will provide you with a list of potential charities that may help. You do have to write to each one individually but it may be worth a look. There are also some guidelines on benefits. Hope this helps!

Archna

zzzLazyDaisy

Great! Thanks!!! :beer:

stuwilky

Daisy,

There is a huge amount of info on grants for mature students and grants for students with disabilities.

Your first point of call should be the Local Education Authority, they will talk you through what is available and send you the very helpful guide (its prety long, but very straightforward)

I'll try and root some of my info out, but I havent got all the disability stuff through yet.

Savvy_Sue

pavlovs_dog wrote:

the online facility isnt going live until the end of april according to the studentfinancedirect website...make sure you will leave yourself plenty of time to complete the form before the deadline (in order to help make sure your son gets his first payment on time), as the forms are often trickier than they first appear, what with them wanting proof of this, that and the other !!!

My main priority is getting the forms filled in before I go into hospital, which gives me at least a month, depending on my blood pressure, which isn't likely to be improved by form filling. :rotfl:I'll start them next week when I've got the week off to relax. (Oh dear, I've just found all the extra smilies ...)