Financial help towards studying for unemployed Mum

sconenotscon

Hi all, sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place.

For the past few years my plan has been to study (distance learning, likely Open University) to retrain for a new career. I have 2 young children and was made redundant in lockdown due to Covid so at the moment I have no way of financing this and my job prospects aren't looking great unless I can gain these extra qualifications. 

Can anybody shed some light on how I'd go about getting any financial help towards this? Now that I'm out of work I'm happy to study on campus if this makes any difference, but I do need to factor in the cost of childcare if I do

I've done some searches online but so far come up with nothing I'd be eligible for

Thanks!

General_Grant

Did you try the "Search for a Grant" area of the Turn2Us website?

pmduk

Most of the academic websites will include help to study, usually as part of the fees section. It'll vary, depending on the level of course and qualification aimed for.

sconenotscon

General_Grant said:

Did you try the "Search for a Grant" area of the Turn2Us website?

Thanks for this - just had a look and there’s one I’m eligible to apply for. Fingers crossed 🤞 

Mrs_Soup

It would be worth phoning the Open university and asking their advice. I was under the impression that student loans also cover part time study these days but I could be wrong. 

[Deleted User]

Mrs_Soup said:

It would be worth phoning the Open university and asking their advice. I was under the impression that student loans also cover part time study these days but I could be wrong. 

Yes that’s still correct. Just need to hear in mind though they will affect benefit entitlement if you claim benefits. 

sammyjammy

If you studied with the OU its classed as part time so would not affect any benefits you receive if you continue to meet your agreed requirements, you can only receive a loan for the tuition if you take this route.

Ivabr89

Have you managed to do this i am exactly the same

sconenotscon

Thanks for your help everyone. I am eligible for a student loan even if I’m distance learning which is great. Ive done a search on the gov website and I may be eligible for help towards childcare too in the form of a childcare grant/fund but it’s unclear whether this will affect my current benefits (UC). Does anyone have any experience of this? 

Another thing is I’d much prefer to study full time so my degree will take 3 years rather than 6. I will be pushing 40 when I graduate if I studied part time! But again, I’m really not sure if this will affect my benefits or not because this would mean I wouldn’t have the time for a job for the next 3 years. I don’t claim Jobseeker’s Allowance because I am not looking for work due to the age of my children and UC don’t expect me to be in paid work until my youngest is 2 AFAIK. My situation at the moment is pretty dire as I was made redundant the same month I gave birth 🤦🏻‍♀️ so I am quite reliant on these benefits at the moment until my other half is back in work too. I would study part time if this meant my benefits were unaffected, and then of course I’d have time for part time work too, but then I won’t graduate for 6 years... 

I’d be so grateful if someone could shed some light on this to help me weigh up my options 

Thanks! 

sconenotscon

sammyjammy said:

If you studied with the OU its classed as part time so would not affect any benefits you receive if you continue to meet your agreed requirements, you can only receive a loan for the tuition if you take this route.

Is this the case even if you go onto their full time course? Thanks 😊 

Ivabr89

Ou doesn't do full time.  I'm in same situation. Part time tuition loan. From my research this shouldn't effect uc. Maintenance loan parent learning ones etc all only for full time. Which do deduct from uc. So I'm glad. Good luck with your course