Open University Maintenance Loan

saq777

I have read everywhere, heard from everyone and understand that you cannot get a maintenance loan from SFE when you study at the OU, even if you're studying full-time/ at 100% course intensity.
What I'd like to know is if there is anything I can do about this?
I'll be studying full time from October 2021 and have no idea what I'm supposed to do aside from taking two years to complete this one year of study instead of one which I really don't want to do.
I don't understand why all OU study should always be classed as part-time when full-time study also takes place. Surely there should be exceptions for students taking 120 credits? 
I have 8 months before I start my final year and I'd like to know if there is anything I can do at all to see if there can be exceptions made.
Thank you,
saq777

TELLIT01

I found this on a Google search

"Can you get a student loan for the Open University?

One way of financing your Open University studies is by taking out a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (also known as a student loan). This is by far the most popular way of financing Open University studies."

That is on the OU website.

pmduk

It's probably because OU study is designed as distance study. Remember, most full-time students on a campus have to take employment to support themselves. If, because of disability, you are unable to study on campus than a maintenance loan may be available. 

saq777

Hi,
Thanks for your responses. I do not have a disability that is sever enough that it prevents me from studying at a traditional university and I currently have  a tuition fee loan, it is the maintenance loan that is the problem. I was studying at a traditional university a few years ago, and while some people had part-time jobs, many in my situation did not as the higher maintenance loan that I was eligible for was enough to cover living costs including accommodation.
I understand that's the way it was designed, but there will obviously be cases that won't fit into that narrative and I don't know why student finance can't assess these cases individually.

Marcon

saq777 said:

Hi,
Thanks for your responses. I do not have a disability that is sever enough that it prevents me from studying at a traditional university and I currently have  a tuition fee loan, it is the maintenance loan that is the problem. I was studying at a traditional university a few years ago, and while some people had part-time jobs, many in my situation did not as the higher maintenance loan that I was eligible for was enough to cover living costs including accommodation.
I understand that's the way it was designed, but there will obviously be cases that won't fit into that narrative and I don't know why student finance can't assess these cases individually.

Presumably you've discussed the point with the OU themselves? They will, after all, be the ones who come across this problem more frequently than anyone else.

Andy_L

saq777 said:

I have read everywhere, heard from everyone and understand that you cannot get a maintenance loan from SFE when you study at the OU, even if you're studying full-time/ at 100% course intensity.
What I'd like to know is if there is anything I can do about this?
I'll be studying full time from October 2021 and have no idea what I'm supposed to do aside from taking two years to complete this one year of study instead of one which I really don't want to do.
I don't understand why all OU study should always be classed as part-time when full-time study also takes place. Surely there should be exceptions for students taking 120 credits? 
I have 8 months before I start my final year and I'd like to know if there is anything I can do at all to see if there can be exceptions made.
Thank you,
saq777

1. Lobby your MP to change the law on Student Loans, unfortunately that's unlikely to work in time for you. I assume you've explored the various financial options the OU offers (bursaries, hardship grants etc)
2. AIUI it is not that it is part-time that denies you the maintenance loan (because you can get that for PT study at a "Bricks & Mortar" university - it just affects the amount) it is because it is distance learning

saq777

Thank you both for your comments.
I have spoken to the OU and all they were able to do was echo what student finance also said which was that no maintenance loans were available.
I understand and that it was I meant (regarding part time study vs distance learning).
I think I'll just have to split up the study and find a job or two in the meantime. 
Thanks for your help!

bacnall

I agree, doing full time at the Open University is still being classed as part time. this is my third year which will be intense as I was doing part time, however it still being classed as part time means I cannot get a maintainace loan to help with living costs, I don't get how that makes sense. 

Andy_L

bacnall said:

I agree, doing full time at the Open University is still being classed as part time. this is my third year which will be intense as I was doing part time, however it still being classed as part time means I cannot get a maintainace loan to help with living costs, I don't get how that makes sense. 

its being classed as distance learning that blocks a maintaince loan, not being part time