Open University Help

kerry87_2

Hi,

Does any one know what the next steps are:

I have applied for an open university course and I have a student finance number.

It did ask when I enrolled how I intend to pay for my course to which I checked the student finance box.

I received 5 course books last Friday from the OU.

Does this mean I have been accepted for finance?

I work 35 hrs a week and earn £10,000 per annum.

Also, is there any additional funding you can get with regards to a laptop as I don't have a computer and use the one at work and I cannot use this for learning in work time.

Thanks in advance

AllSpent

If you registered on the direct.gov site, and applied for student finance, then you should have been accepted. If this is just the finance number the OU assign to you, you still need to register and apply here:

http://www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/

As for the laptop. I think they have stopped, or are soon to, stop funding for this now. Although worth checking anyway.

Dunroamin

Just to add, the tuition fee loans are available to everybody, so your income is irrelevant.

kerry87_2

Dunroamin wrote: »

Just to add, the tuition fee loans are available to everybody, so your income is irrelevant.

I seem to be having trouble accessing my student finance account, does your CRN number always stay the same and will I get a letter to advise me of the outcome? If so. how long does this take as the course is due to start 6th April 2013

agrinnall

Kerry, you are better asking student finance questions on the Student board rather than the Employment one. While I'm sure you'll get answers on here there are a few specialists there, such as Taiko, who seem to rarely venture onto any other board.

Dunroamin

kerry87 wrote: »

I seem to be having trouble accessing my student finance account, does your CRN number always stay the same and will I get a letter to advise me of the outcome? If so. how long does this take as the course is due to start 6th April 2013

Sorry, I don't know the system in that sort of detail.

RedSoleShoes

If you have received course books, then it is likely the course is paid for (either by you, loan, or funding). I am surprised you have not received something confirming your funding. As your salary is £10k then it is also likely that you have received full financial support from OU.

With regards to the computer, I believe that OU have stopped this funding but you normally receive a payment (when you have been approved for financial support) of approx £250 a few weeks after the course has started so could use this to help you buy one.

kerry87_2

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

If you have received course books, then it is likely the course is paid for (either by you, loan, or funding). I am surprised you have not received something confirming your funding. As your salary is £10k then it is also likely that you have received full financial support from OU.

With regards to the computer, I believe that OU have stopped this funding but you normally receive a payment (when you have been approved for financial support) of approx £250 a few weeks after the course has started so could use this to help you buy one.

I am very surprised too, I have emailed them asking for this information and I have not given any bank details to them yet so i will have to await their response.

dizzyrascal

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

If you have received course books, then it is likely the course is paid for (either by you, loan, or funding). I am surprised you have not received something confirming your funding. As your salary is £10k then it is also likely that you have received full financial support from OU.

With regards to the computer, I believe that OU have stopped this funding but you normally receive a payment (when you have been approved for financial support) of approx £250 a few weeks after the course has started so could use this to help you buy one.

I don't think you get this grant anymore either. You just get your fees paid under the new system. However, you can't really do an OU course wighout a decent computer and internet connection so I would get in touch with the finance dept and see if there is anything you can apply for. There might be a bursary or fund they can tap into for you. ( they did used to have one). Might be better to ask a study adviser about that option, rather than finance. They often have better info for that type of thing

Dunroamin

OP, could you confirm which UK country you live in as OU funding varies.

kerry87_2

Dunroamin wrote: »

OP, could you confirm which UK country you live in as OU funding varies.

I am in England