Advice Needed For Hubby-Just Been Offered Uni Place!

Penny-Pincher!!

Hey All

Im dead proud of my wonderful hubby :T He's been my carer for a few years now..alot for a 30yr old guy..lol and im not the easiest person to live with :eek:

Anyway, we have found out this morning that he has been accepted on to an Architecture degree (part time for 4 years) starting Sept 2005. He has wanted to do this for several years, but because of my illness he had to put this on hold

I dont know if anyone can help on this, but where do I find out about financial help/assistance with course fees etc. It is a part time course, so unsure what that means regarding student loans etc. Can anyone point me in the right direction please? Do I go through my local LEA?

Its about time he got to do what he wants!

Thanks all in advance.

Penny-Pincher!!
xxx

Trix

Congrats and good luck to hubby!
Try going to the website of the university he is going to. They should have a list of help available etc as well as a student supporrt adviser of some description that can help if he needs to chat to someone.

jen_jen_2

contact the welfare rights worker at the uni he is going to they will be up on all the student welfare info or local cab, dont forget the unis access fund (grants) or charities that can help you out.

:T congrats to hubby

jellyhead

just wondering what benefits you're on at the moment? if it's income support, i went to uni part time on income support and i just stayed on the income support, i didn't get any loans but didn't pay any fees either. the student union had a hardship fund, they helped with the cost of textbooks, travel etc.

student loans, depends on how many hours a week you're in uni i think. this is from the slc (student loans company) http://www.slc.co.uk/noframe/lr/part_time/default.html

BWZN93

I know that the Student Loans company gives up to £500 per year for part time students - Which I believe is classed through how many degree points you get per year (full time is 120 credits, part time usually 60, sometimes more dependant on how quickly the Part time degree is), and eligibility is for those with an income of less than £13000 per year - However - Family circumstances etc are taken into account, so in your case, should be much higher anyway.

The University itself has a student finance office, and they keep the forms for hardship grants etc, although the system has been recently changed - when I first went to Uni, an assessment was made, and they would award £xx, but the first £500 of that was from SLC - i.e - extra loan and you pay it back as extra loan. Anything above that - is a grant which does not have to paid back. The system as changed does not come from SLC, it is a higher education bursary and therefore a grant, not a loan.

As far as I am aware, you have to take the full student loan allowed to you to get the hardship grants. For part time students, im not really sure of the situation, but im sure you would get the student loan, plus other benefits on top. The best people to advise will be the University Finance Office for Students - they are always really helpful and know everything, and can guide you through any forms that need to be done.

For student Loans, call up the Local Education Authority and ask them to post you the application pack for Part Time Student Loans - initally - the LEA assesses, then sends on to SLC to pay you.

HTH

Jo xx

claysam

Be warned though if you are claiming benefits, the student loan is considered to be unearned income, and as such you could be forced to pay part rent, (if you are receiving benefits). I know this as i have just finished my first year at uni, I am a single parent with 3 children under 6, and have had to come of income support and have to pay £15 a week rent out of the loan. Which means effectively I am a lot worse off :eek: