Student maintenance loan v benefits

wilf55

Total confused and and deciding if I want to study

I'm on esa and dla at the moment. Thinking of doing some OU modules part time. Would like to do a degree but not sure how health would hold up etc

If I did OU part time do I have to effectively take a maintenance loan or could I just get tuition loan and continue getting benefits.

Just waying up can I afford it

Please help
Thanks

missbiggles1

wilf55 wrote: »

Total confused and and deciding if I want to study

I'm on esa and dla at the moment. Thinking of doing some OU modules part time. Would like to do a degree but not sure how health would hold up etc

If I did OU part time do I have to effectively take a maintenance loan or could I just get tuition loan and continue getting benefits.

Just waying up can I afford it

Please help
Thanks

You can't get a maintenance loan for OU study.

wilf55

Ok that's fine. So I would be able to study part time and continue to get benefits?

Thank you

SuperCat007

wilf55 wrote: »

Ok that's fine. So I would be able to study part time and continue to get benefits?

Thank you

That will very much depend on your own benefit office. But judging by recent cuts you may not. You'd need to talk to whoever you're in contact with at the benefits office though.

Many, many moons ago I got ESA and was studying for 8 hours a week. But that was about 2009/2010. But that wasn't for very long because I then found a job I could fit around studying and my health problems, the woman at the benefits office knew I was also looking for a small job rather than benefits, so I don't know if she was more lenient with me than others.

You'll need to tell them how much time you expect to spend studying each week, which is on the OU site for each module, and they'll make a decision based on that.

missbiggles1

Even in the current climate, I don't think someone'll have any problem combining ESA with OU study.

SuperCat007

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Even in the current climate, I don't think someone'll have any problem combining ESA with OU study.

Well the argument is always, "If you can study for 8 hours a week, why can't you work for 8-10 hours per week."

wilf55

Thank you. I'll give them a ring Monday and see what they say. I know you didn't ask why but I'm partially house bound and illness comes in fits and starts. I have a chronic and acute problem and have no way of knowing what will be a good day, for want of a better word and a bad day. Hoping that if one day I could get better I would have something to fall back on

tomtontom

SuperCat007 wrote: »

Well the argument is always, "If you can study for 8 hours a week, why can't you work for 8-10 hours per week."

That's not how ESA works. It is awarded according to certain descriptors, for instance OP may be incontinent, which would qualify him for ESA but not affect his ability to study from home.

(I'm not suggesting the OP is incontinent, it was just an example!)

SuperCat007

tomtontom wrote: »

That's not how ESA works. It is awarded according to certain descriptors, for instance OP may be incontinent, which would qualify him for ESA but not affect his ability to study from home.

(I'm not suggesting the OP is incontinent, it was just an example!)

I know that, but that isn't how the assessors see it (in my experience anyway).

Good luck OP. I hope you get an outcome like I did.

missbiggles1

SuperCat007 wrote: »

Well the argument is always, "If you can study for 8 hours a week, why can't you work for 8-10 hours per week."

Claiming ESA is about fulfilling the conditions, not about whether you can work.

surfsister

http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding

fir info on student funding. you may be able to claim dsa?

inancial support

If you’re on benefits or your income is less than £25,000, we have two ways to help:

You may be eligible for a free introductory Access module to build your confidence and skills before moving on to a full OU course. For more details, visit our Access page.
Once you’ve registered, you may be able to get help with study-related costs like travel, childcare and internet access.
Students with disabilities

The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is a government grant to cover study support costs if you have a disability. It’s not means tested, and there’s no age limit.
For more details, visit our Supporting students with disabilities page.