Help Access Course funding! or lack of

Queen_of_NO_MATTER_WHAT

I’ve recently decided to apply for an access course so I can then go on to university. As the access course is 4 days a week I had to give up my full time employment to enable me to take this course.

I’m not entitled to any means tested support (housing benefit or JSA or even income support) for 26 weeks because I left my job ‘without just cause’, because I’m not claiming any benefits I have to pay for the course fees in full, despite not being employed. I have spoken to the college and they advised me that there is very little funding available for someone in my position, I may be able t apply for a learners grant of up to £30 a week.

I’m finding this all a bit of a battle really. Is it really this difficult for mature students to return to education if they have previously been employed?

Does anyone know of any loop holes or have any suggestions of where I could get some financial support? I’m trying to look for another job (part time) asap because although I have some savings they’re not going to stretch a full school year no matter how frugal I am.

Alikay

I am also planning to do an Access course this year, and like you I don't qualify for any funding. However, at the uni in the nexy city to yours (where I'm going) the tuition fees are only about £250 ish for the year. Also if you are studying full-time you don't have to pay council tax. So if you live alone, you don't pay any, I believe, and if you live with one other adult (ie your partner or an adult, employed child) there will be a 25% reduction, since they'll count as sole occupant for council tax reasons.

Queen_of_NO_MATTER_WHAT

because I'm doing my course through a college my fees are £195 + £15 admin fee, and the course is classed as part time. They dropped the hours down to 15 so that people on means tested support ie job seekers and the rest could still claim, if it was 16 hours it would class as full time and everyone would lose their support. Doesn't much help me though. Good luck with your course

student_advisor

Queen_of_NO_MATTER_WHAT wrote: »

I’m finding this all a bit of a battle really. Is it really this difficult for mature students to return to education if they have previously been employed?

Yes, it is unfortunately.

The £30/week is the Adult Learning Grant and you will only be eligible for this if you do not already have a level 3 qualification (2 A-Levels, NVQ 3 or equivalent).

You should also apply to your college's learning support fund. They will not be ale to help you with living costs, but they can help with things like books and travel.

Your student services department should also have somebody who can help you search for charitable funding as there are charities which help with these costs.

You could also consider a part-time job as you rightly identified that you will probably not be eligible for any benefits as a student.

Remember that this is the tough year financially and that your uni years will be easier.

oscarleo

I can only concur with what has already been said. I did my Access course last year and travelled to a college in a borough where I didn't have to pay for my course. As well as getting the full £30 ALG, I also got £450 Learners support grant from the college and I worked part-time as well.

Where there's a will there's a way!

mummytofour

oscarleo wrote: »

I can only concur with what has already been said. I did my Access course last year and travelled to a college in a borough where I didn't have to pay for my course. As well as getting the full £30 ALG, I also got £450 Learners support grant from the college and I worked part-time as well.

Where there's a will there's a way!

I am in this situation, I was going to a FE college and they wanted to charge me £850! Plus I have 5 children and my childcare bill is £100 a DAY!!!!!

Anyway I found out about care to learn who pay my childcare if I go to a sixth form college, I only found this out at the last minute and had to waite for a place to become free as the course was already full, thankfully i have gained a place.
My childcare bill is HUGE and I am getting that paid, the course is free as I dont have 5 GCSES, I am also getting £10 ALG ( please note this is only paid for people 30 and under)
The only downside is the 60 miles a day round trip I will be doing come sep. but I have got £13 a week towards petrol plus my £10 ALG so I hope I can cover it.
Basically you have to look round and see what you can get, where there is a will there is a way that I am sure of.

mummytofour

Alikay wrote: »

I am also planning to do an Access course this year, and like you I don't qualify for any funding. However, at the uni in the nexy city to yours (where I'm going) the tuition fees are only about £250 ish for the year. Also if you are studying full-time you don't have to pay council tax. So if you live alone, you don't pay any, I believe, and if you live with one other adult (ie your partner or an adult, employed child) there will be a 25% reduction, since they'll count as sole occupant for council tax reasons.

Thanks for the council tax tip, I have just checked with my local council website and I think if i can wing it I will get the 25% discount, its says 21 hrs study per week, my course is 14hr BUT i have to d 7 hrs home study so I think teh college will sign it off fingers crossed!

msmicawber

I don't know whether it would be possible for you, but when I was contemplating this, the lady at Connexions (I think it was) suggested applying to do care work (which you can often do over night or in the evenings). That way, you're working and become eligible for various benefits.

student_advisor

mummytofour wrote: »

My childcare bill is HUGE and I am getting that paid, the course is free as I dont have 5 GCSES, I am also getting £10 ALG ( please note this is only paid for people 30 and under)

For info, the Adult Learning Grant (ALG) is available to anyone who is studying for their first Level 2 or Level 3 course, doing at least 12 hours per week, and not claiming earnings-replacement benefits. There is not upper age limit, although you must be over 19. The student's income and that of any partner they live with will be taken into account.

As for the council tax, if your College class your course as full-time, then they will supply you with a council tax certificate. We do it for any course of 12 or more hours per week.

mummytofour

student_advisor wrote: »

For info, the Adult Learning Grant (ALG) is available to anyone who is studying for their first Level 2 or Level 3 course, doing at least 12 hours per week, and not claiming earnings-replacement benefits. There is not upper age limit, although you must be over 19. The student's income and that of any partner they live with will be taken into account.

As for the council tax, if your College class your course as full-time, then they will supply you with a council tax certificate. We do it for any course of 12 or more hours per week.

I have applied and got the ALG and I am sure there is something on the application form about birthday which I was suprised about as it was the first I had heard, it also meant that this is the last school yr I could apply as Im 30 (gulp) at the end of the year.

student_advisor

Copied from direct.gov.uk, the birthday info is because you must be 19 or over.





"ALG checklist: do you qualify?

Whether you qualify for ALG depends on:

• your age, where you live and where you study
• what type of course you’re doing
• your income and whether you’re getting certain types of benefit

Your age, where you live and where you study

To get ALG, you need to:

• be 19 or over (though you can apply one month before your 19th birthday)
• be living and studying in England, and meet the residency criteria (there’s more information about this in the ALG application pack)"