PGCE Bursary/Loans/Grants

redmel1621

Hi

Now after much hair pulling I have decided I will definately enrol on the PGCE English (Secondary) - just waiting for GTTR to open for 2008 apps.

We are a family and both myself and DH are "part time" students with the OU I currently work 16hrs and have been trying to work out how the finances are going to work for next year when i become classed as a Full Time student.
I have contacted the Tax credit helpline today and they informed me that any money i receive from Uni will not be means tested therefore our best option is for DH to take over the 16hr job so as to remain on the same money.

However when I contact the council re. HB/CTB they told me that my bursary would be taken into consideration as an income as would any loans i was entitled to whether i took them or not!!!! also they said it is unlikely i would be entitled to any loans anyway as i would be getting a bursary.

Does anybody know about this? also out of my bursary how much would i be entitled to keep for uni expenses, books, travel etc....

Mel x

dmg24

Hi Mel,

I have just enrolled for the PGCE (Maths!) for this year, and I know that the amounts are changing for next year, but I didn't think the rules were?

My understanding of the bursary is that it is not counted for HB/ CTB purposes, although the loan is. You will definitely be entitled to a loan as well, although that will be partially income based (but again, the bursary is not counted as income). Sounds like the person you spoke to really didn't have a clue!

As you have children, you will be entitled to additional grants. I am not sure if these are counted as income or not.

You will automatically get a single person discount on Council Tax, as you are fully exempt from paying it.

I've had a few glasses of wine, so can't think of anything else, but I'll have a proper think tomorrow! x

redmel1621

Hi
thanks, the lady at the HB office was pretty convinced that the bursary was counted as an income as woud any loans or grans, she said these would all be counted whether a took them or not, which seems a bit odd really.

Yes the amounts are changing (bohoo) I just missed out on the £9000 Bursary which was last given this year (sept 07) as of next year it drops to £6000...Not in MATHS though I think they are even offering more next year...

It would be fantastic if the Bursary was disregarded in terms of HB as I could save some of it up then, we really, really, need a new car.........BUT she did seem so adamant that they would take it into consideration and reduce our benefit

Mel x

student_advisor

From the DWP website, guidance for HB assessors:

eacher's income

2.280 Take bursaries paid to teachers who return to teaching into account over the period they are paid for. They are subject to the normal disregards for books and travel.
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, both the loan and the bursary are taken into consideration for HB/CTB purposes. You need to make sure the claim is in your partner's name, you may receive some HB/CTB but it certainly won't cover your rent in full.

As you are entitled to claim a student loan & maintenance grant, these will be taken into account for benefits purposes regardless of whether you take them or not. I would always encourage you to take as much funding as you can get your hands on.

You can claim the parent's learning allowance and childcare grant which are income assessed and non-repayable and a tuition fee loan which is non-income assessed and repayable, along side the above funding. None of these would be classed as income. You could also apply for the adult dependents grant which is income-assessed and non-repayable.

dmg24

Looks like I was wrong, sorry Mel.

I get my bursary as two lump sums (I am studying by flexible learning), so mine is counted as capital. Is flexi learning an option for you? Not all uni's offer it, but it is perhaps something to look into? Also with flexible learning, you get your fees paid for you. You are still eligible for the full loan too.

I sound like an advertisement for flexi learning, and I haven't even started the course yet! x

redmel1621

Thanks for your replies....

The claim is in my dh name already so that is handy shame that woman at HB office was right after all, I was hoping she wouldn't be.

dmg24 who are you doing your PGCE with? I am currently an OU student and would have done my PGCE with them to save hassle but they don't do the one in English.......

Thanks again for replies
Mel x

dmg24

I'm at Nottingham, they don't offer the flexible route for English, but they do offer full time. I looked at OU too, but they only have a few schools in my area, and none that were particularly accessible (I don't drive, and don't want to!).

From a quick look at GTTR, Brunel and Edgehill offer flexible programmes for English.

Brighton, Goldsmiths, Hertfordshire and Worcester offer part time programmes, but I'm not sure how they would pay the bursary, or whether you would get your fees paid.

redmel1621

Thanks dmg24

I have (briefly) considered Edge Hill on the flexible route....
I may just go and have another little look into it, although I know the schools that Hope use and like most of them plus they are on the Wirral, Edge Hill uses more schools in Liverpool....Means more Commuting.

Mel x

handbag_handle

I'm hoping to apply for a PGCE in English next year too and was wondering whether they only accept applicants from people who have experience of working in classrooms.

Does anyone know if this is the case?

Thankyou.

dmg24

When I first applied, due to work commitments I did not have any experience in the classroom. I got offered a place at Nottingham Trent. However, I have since changed providers, and doubt I would have been offered a place at Nottingham without having spent a few days in a school. Good luck! x

Mel, always worth seeing if they could find you a school closer to home? You never know! x

Perversia

handbag_handle wrote: »

I'm hoping to apply for a PGCE in English next year too and was wondering whether they only accept applicants from people who have experience of working in classrooms.

Does anyone know if this is the case?

Thankyou.

Best thing to do is read the requirements for entry for the providers your interested in. Some aren't as bothered about classroon experience (I have very little recent and/or relevent) and others are. For example, I got an interview at IoE and they basically told me I really needed experience and rejected me, whereas King's College took some of my other experience and plans for doing mentoring over summer into consideration, although they would have liked me to have classroom experience. Most providers I've seen at least recommend that you go into a school for a day or two to see if you really are interested in teaching.