Open University Financial Assistance

LillysMum

Hi Everyone,
Im new to all this posting but I am unable to find anything like the issue / query I have... so here goes.

I am a 25 year old single mother. My daughter is 2 years old. I was going to do an IT degree course this september 2014 in a normal mainstream university. However, since having my daughter I have suffered quite greatly with Post Natal depression and post natal anxiety. Even though I am receiving treatment for my conditions, I still have episodes every now and again that leaves me not being able to leave the house. After speaking to my doctor and the university rep, it was decided amongst us that the best option for me to do a degree would be through the Open University as this will not involve actually leaving the house.
I originally had a place confirmed at the main stream university, with full grant and loan entitlement.
I have now enrolled at the open university on a full time basis. I will be studying 36 hours a week as I would if I was attending university itself. The open University have amended my course. It will take me 3 years to complete.
My tuition fee loan has only been approved for a part time course through SFE (as the open university is a part time organisation) and I have lost all the grants and loans I would have been entitled to going to an actual university.

Is there any way I could get anything to help me get by? as this is down to a mental illness that I have changed my courses. I have a full medical report on the subject as to why I need to change from a mainstream uni to the open one.

Really hope all this makes sense... and someone can help.

Oh I forgot to mention, one thing I am entitled to is DSA but thats only for general allowance and its around £1000 a year

Indie_Kid

You may be entitled to some benefits. Full time students generally aren't entitled to benefits; but as someone with a child, you probably would be.

missbiggles1

All study with the OU is regarded as part time, however many units you do, and so no maintenance funding is available.

As a lone parent of a child under 5 you can claim Income Support as well as Child Benefit, Child Tax Credits and the appropriate benefit for your housing.

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

You can claim benefits whilst at OU, although anything given from the OU (DSA excluded) may be taken into account for income based benefits. I started in 2011 so am on old fees, but have claimed housing benefit, ESA and council tax assistance previously (I now work, but would likely still be entitled).

sniperpenguin

it was decided amongst us that the best option for me to do a degree would be through the Open University as this will not involve actually leaving the house.

That isn't necessarily the case. The IT / ICT degrees are on the Q62 pathway. Most of the year one modules (including the compulsory TU100 and MU123) involve 4 tutor-led classroom sessions. (I'm currently doing an IT degree with the OU)

Also, I am struggling to see where the issue is - You have received the loans for your course fees, yet you are saying you require more because you are studying from home full-time?

Are you not already receiving the usual benefits from living as a "disabled" single mother?

missbiggles1

DomRavioli wrote: »

Hi OP,

You can claim benefits whilst at OU, although anything given from the OU (DSA excluded) may be taken into account for income based benefits. I started in 2011 so am on old fees, but have claimed housing benefit, ESA and council tax assistance previously (I now work, but would likely still be entitled).

I'm afaid that this is incorrect. Maintenance loans/grants when studying full time are taken into account for means tested benefits but tuition fee loans have no effect on benefits.

Indie_Kid

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I'm afaid that this is incorrect. Maintenance loans/grants when studying full time are taken into account for means tested benefits but tuition fee loans have no effect on benefits.

But you're not entitled to any maintenance loans or grants if you study with OU.

missbiggles1

Indie_Kid wrote: »

But you're not entitled to any maintenance loans or grants if you study with OU.

Sigh ...... which was why I said earlier "All study with the OU is regarded as part time, however many units you do, and so no maintenance funding is available. ";)

kal25

My advice would be to ring student support and speak to them as they will be able to tell you anything you may be entitled to. It is possible to get extra funding in certain circumstances unless it has changed as my prospectus is an old one.

Indie_Kid

kal25 wrote: »

My advice would be to ring student support and speak to them as they will be able to tell you anything you may be entitled to. It is possible to get extra funding in certain circumstances unless it has changed as my prospectus is an old one.

The only extra funding from SFE would be things like disabled students allowance, etc. and not other finance.

gayleygoo

It could depend whereabouts in the UK you are? I'm in N.Ireland, and get my OU course fees paid, a study grant of £265 when the module starts, and can apply for extra help towards a computer, childcare costs, internet or other study related costs, although you need to provide a receipt for these. You may be entitled to extra if you have a disability, just contact Student Support, but they may ask specifically what you need the money for.

As others have said though, because all OU study is regarded as "part time" regardless of how many hours you study, you can't get help from them to cover actual living costs etc. If you were going to a brick Uni you might be spending money on travel, text books, full-time childcare and general uni-life stuff. Studying from home won't really be any more expensive than actually living at home!

I think you can still apply for normal student overdrafts and such, if if would help cover your living costs, and you can get a student discount card - although check what discounts you'll get first as you do have to pay a small charge for the card.

I was feeling quite low before I started OU, and have to say it has really improved my self-esteem and general mood over the past year, I hope it helps you too. Most classes will have tutorials you can attend, although they are not always compulsory. I really recommend you do got to them though, if you can, they are usually quite informal and it's lovely to get to meet others doing the same thing. I wish you luck on your OU journey