Benefits whilst at University

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I can totally empathise with your situation redmel. My situation is different in the way that I have no dependants. But I agree, it's a minefield and there should be more information offered which is easily accessible.

student_advisor, is that what you specialise in advising students on finances and benefits?? If so, I will pm you with a brief outline of my situation. I trust that you will offer genuine, up to date advice

student_advisor

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

student_advisor, is that what you specialise in advising students on finances and benefits?? If so, I will pm you with a brief outline of my situation. I trust that you will offer genuine, up to date advice

This is what I am paid to do.

I offer free and impartial advice to students, potential students and students who are not going to be students any more! I specialise in students and all areas of funding, but offer benefits advice for non-students too. I don't want to disclose exactly where I work, but it is a college of further and higher education.

Please pm me and I will advise the best I can.

student_advisor

redmel1621 wrote: »

Student advisor - you mentioned some disregards to student income which wouldn't apply to earned income is this in relation to University materials etc, because if they count the whole bursary as my income how am i meant to get to uni each day and buy all the books , stationary etc i will need?? they would effectively be forcing me to take money out of my kids mouths to buy my books - which of course i wouldn't do....

As I do not work weekends, I do not have my CPAG handbook with me so I cannot quote the 07/08 figures for the disregards.



For 2006/2007 academic year, the disregards for the maintenance grant/loan are
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]£361 for books and equipment per annum
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]£285 for travel costs per annum
Plus an additional £10 per week (for 43-45 weeks only)


However, without my book, I can't work out how your bursary will be taken into account. What course are you doing? That might help too. I'll have a look on Monday.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

student_advisor - I have pm'd you.

redmel1621

I am planning on doing PGCE English - Secondary.

I have missed out a bit by not finishing my degree earlier because as of Sept 2008 the Bursary has been lowered from 9000 to 6000. I suppose it doesn't make that much difference in my situation as the government states we need £xxx amount to live on and rearanges every benefit etc to make sure we only bring in that much.

My father-in-law made a big deal out of the fact that ctc was being raised by £10 pw (i'm sure i never got that amount extra!!) but as we tried to point out it makes sod all difference as the HB/CTB just adjust their figures so we have to give that extra to them, we are never any better off no matter how much 'they' try to make out we are......

anyway back to the student question, Thank you Student Advisor for that info on disregards very interesting to know that!!
How does it all work then....at the time of applying for financial help i must apply for the course grant, student loan and maintanance grant all at the same time? What about a student overdraft, could i apply for one at a later date without declaring it, as it isn't actually a form of income?

Thanks Melx

student_advisor

Mel

It's taken me a while, but tucked away in a random corner of dwp website, I have located treatment of PGCE bursary:

"Teacher's income Incentive payments

2.281 Incentive payments made to postgraduate trainee teachers, formerly training salaries, are now called training bursaries. These bursaries are generally paid in instalments and should be taken into account over the period payable. The disregards should be applied if the student is not eligible for a loan. If in exceptional circumstances it is paid in a lump sum then treat it as capital."


So your bursary will be taken into account, but you are eligible to apply for student loan & maintenance grant (plus childcare grant if required, parent's learning allowance, adult dependent's grant, tuition fee loan).

So on top of your £6000 bursary, you could potentially have an additional £2765 (max) maintenance grant - non-repayable
£3280 (max) maintenance loan - repayable (best terms you'll ever get)
£1435 (max) parent's learning allowance - non-repayable

£2700 (ish, max) adult dependent's allowance - non-repayable

as much childcare & tuition fee as required (max 85% of cc payed)


It is unlikely that you would receive HB on this basis, even though some of these grants are not taken as income for benefits purposes.


You can apply for a student account with overdraft as a back up if required but from experience, they take a lot of work to get rid of.

If this looks like it is too much of a struggle financially for you and you family, it is possible to study the PGCE part-time over two years; however, if you can make it through this year, you'll be qualified earlier and be earning higher more quickly.:j

Hope this helps and I haven't confused you too much!