Student loans on an Open University Course?

kippers

My 18 yr old daughter is now considering doing an open university course which she needs to apply for it by 8/9 so we urgently need to look into this. I have three questions and wonder if anyone on here can help (as it's Sunday and I can't ring anyone today to find out)....

1) We certainly CANT afford to pay the tuition fees for her but I am not sure if she can get a student loan to cover the tuition fees as it's an open uni course....if she can does anyone know if the sames terms apply as a student loan for a normal university course i.e pay back when they earn over £25,000 (I think).

2) She wasn't planning to do a university course and she actually signed on after her A levels in July and is getting universal credit at the moment...does this affect anything?

3) Do you still get child benefit / free prescriptions etc when they are in full time education....does this count if they are in a full time open uni course and will this count as she has had a gap of two months claiming universal credit?

Thanks for any replies

littlesheepy

1) She should be able to get a student loan the same as if she was studying at a brick uni with the same terms. I work full time and study with OU and pay for it with a student loan.

2) Haven't the foggiest.

3) As far as I'm aware, all OU study is classed as part time study. You can do 120 credits per year (equivalent of full time) but it's not recommended and still seen as part time. In fact, I don't think you can get a 'full time' student loan when studying at the OU, only up to 90 credits worth of loan.

TheGardener

Hi - this response is probably a bit late now anyway...Studying at OU is only recommended for part time if someone is returning to learning after a long time away from study (out of practice) or if working/raising a family (which many OU students are) If DD is single and not working then a full time would be fine
Access to student loans is the same and on the same repayment terms.
No - Child Benefit (for you I assume?) will stop when she reaches 18 or when she goes onto full time education anyway. I think there are some circumstances where parents can get CB until child is 19 but I am pretty sure you don't get it once at Higher Ed.
Yes - She will get free NHS while she is studying full time

sheramber

Free prescriptions stop at age 18.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Prescriptioncosts.aspx

missbiggles1

littlesheepy wrote: »

1) She should be able to get a student loan the same as if she was studying at a brick uni with the same terms. I work full time and study with OU and pay for it with a student loan.

2) Haven't the foggiest.

3) As far as I'm aware, all OU study is classed as part time study. You can do 120 credits per year (equivalent of full time) but it's not recommended and still seen as part time. In fact, I don't think you can get a 'full time' student loan when studying at the OU, only up to 90 credits worth of loan.

Only a fee loan, not a maintenance loan.