Open University distance learning part time degree

nicelittlefella1974

Hi all
I am on ESA (support group) and also DLA. I have 3 different illnesses which I am hoping to recover from or at least the consultants can get my conditions made stable so that in the future I can hopefully return to work as I miss it very much.
I am a single parent and i have registered with the Open University to untertake a BSC Honours degree in Health and Social care with a pathway of older adults.
I had a job in a care home with an EMI unit and my job was working with alzheimer and dementia patients and although I have had hands on experience with this,I have no qualifications in this field.
The degree is part time distance learning over 6 years and i have been advised by the Open University to apply through their site for a Tuition Fee loan which will cover the costs of the degree and that i wont have to start repayments for 4 years,only if I earn over £21,000.
I told them what benefits I am on and they said that nothing should be affected as its part time distance learning.
I wondered if anyone could advise me further please as although I know I have to accept that I am not well enough to work at the present time,I would like to do the degree in the hope that I will be able to go back to care work.
Many thanks

DomRavioli

What do you need advising on? What OU have told you is correct.

Fee loans don't affect ESA through part time study such as the OU.

You won't pay it back until you earn at least £21,000, the same as a brick uni student.

If you start work, you can still get the tuition fee loan.

nicelittlefella1974

Thankyou for your response.I guess I just wanted confirmation that I am allowed to do it whilst being on DLA and ESA as if I had to attend a brick uni then at the present time I would be unable to do the course. I wanted to double check before I apply for the Tuition fee loan as I am a worrier!

nicelittlefella1974

Just to add - I have read things online that if you are classed as a student,then you dont get certain benefits and wondered whether I would be classed as a student, even though its OU.

cateerob

As OU is part time I think you can do it, I do and get JSA, I wouldn't be able to get JSA if I went to a brick uni.

nicelittlefella1974

thankyou for the reply. Did you get a tuition fee loan to fund it?

DomRavioli

Hi again OP.

the definition of student for the purposes of ESA would be a course attended at a building or place of study for at least 14 hours a week. OU get round this by being a distance learning provider with tutorials/day schools which are optional, and also being flexible on study hours - you could study for 30 hours one week, but only 2 hours the next week.

TBH, I can only think that the old info you have is from when they did financial support (as in paid your fees) which ended in 2012 when the tuition fee loan came into force.

You will be perfectly fine, you will find a lot of people at the OU are disabled - if you do apply to study there, please also apply for the Disabled Students Award/Allowance - this can help tremendously - speak to your regional office once registered on a module to arrange.

cateerob

I get a grant form OU to pay for mine, but i'm on very lows fees as I started before they all went up.

Dunroamin

cateerob wrote: »

I get a grant form OU to pay for mine, but i'm on very lows fees as I started before they all went up.

All new OU students now need to take out loans for the fees.

nicelittlefella1974

Hi
Thankyou so much for your help and advice. I am going ahead with the tuition fee loan and hope to start the degree in October providing it is approved.
Thankyou.

nicelittlefella1974

sorry to be a pain but but one more question if its ok.
Does the disabled student allowance get counted as income and need to be declared?